Papa Gino's Pronto Planned for Washington Street

Add Papa Gino's to the growing list of pizzerias and other chains planning a move to town.

The Board of Selectmen has approved a common victualer license to the chain for a take-out and delivery only restaurant to move into 254 Washington St.

The address is where Hazel & Grace was formerly located. Parking and the entrance will not be on the Washington Street side of the building, but up through the parking lot behind where Whole Foods is now located.

Plans are for a new concept Papa Gino's Pronto to move in, which according to the Papa Gino's website, will specialize in fast take-out and delivery service. The Pronto model requires smaller locations and is geared toward communities where there is a great demand for take-out meals, the website continues.

A Papa Gino's Pronto was recently opened on Harvard Avenue in Brookline which will be similar to the one being planned here.

While selectmen have approved the license, it will not be issued until the fire, building, planning and health departments have signed off.

Plans are currently before the Design Review Board which will have a say on the size of the sign on the front of the building. The size of the letters on the company's planned sign are bigger than allowed by the town's bylaws, so it will necessitate either approval by the Zoning Board of a Appeals, or a modification, according to Michael Zehner, assistant planning director in Wellesley.

A spokeswoman speaking on behalf of Papa Gino's said it is too early in the process for the company to comment, but that they'd be speaking to the press in a few weeks.