New building now houses four shops

At the intersection of U.S. 70 and the five lane, an attractive retail building now stands at a place that once was a used car business. This building is the home of a new pizza and sub sandwich restaurant and a new yogurt shop for Marion while also providing a better location for two businesses already established here. During the beginning of 2015, Brian McKinney and his brother Jimmy started working to convert the old Sonny’s used cars site into a new and attractive place for retail businesses and eateries. Workers were soon busy constructing a new 7,000-square-foot building with four suites for such businesses as a restaurant, a retail store or some other use. A new parking lot was prepared, landscaping work was done and a new sign erected out front.

Now, all four spaces are occupied and the new location seems to be working out well for both the business owners and their customers alike. Pepperoni’s Gourmet Pizza opened its doors a couple of weeks ago as the last of the businesses to locate at 2080 N. Main St.

The Marion restaurant is the third for the small chain but the first one for McDowell County. The other two Pepperoni’s are in Black Mountain and East Asheville/Oteen. There was also a location in south Asheville but it was closed and the operation was moved to Marion.

Kara Bennett-Bonura is the owner, along with her husband John. She said Marion is her hometown and is happy to bring her business here. The small chain has gotten impressive reviews online and in 2015 received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award.

“We’re fresh and local,” she said. “We do all of our toppings.”

She added her eatery offers gluten-free food. Pepperoni’s also delivers.

True to its name, Pepperoni’s has 19 different styles of pizza. You can order the Kitchen Sink, the Philly Steak, the Pig ‘n’ Cow, the Great White or the Crybaby. There is a Greek pizza, a margherita pizza, a Hawaiian pizza and a veggie pizza. You can also create your own from a long list of toppings or order a dessert pizza.

But there is a lot more than just pizza here. The menu also has a variety of hot sub sandwiches, wings, pastas, calzones and salads. There is a good selection of domestic and craft beer available.

Pepperoni’s Gourmet Pizza has creative decorations and atmosphere that is different from other pizza places. There is a table up front that was made out a part of an old car. The kid’s section has some old soapbox derby cars where the young ones can sit and enjoy watching TV along with their food.

“We are a family oriented restaurant,” said Bonura, adding it has a Website and a Facebook page.