Permits filed for $100,000 renovation at 110 Broad St. for new restaurant. Will it be a wood-fired pizza spot?

JDMC Investments in Carrollton has filed a permit for a $100,000 renovation of 110 Broad St. in downtown Rome’s Cotton Block.

We have notes into Dino McDowell on his plans for the building. McDowell says he’ll be in contact soon.

The plans we continue to hear: Perhaps a Rome version of McDowell’s Palladino’s Wood Fired Artisan Pizza. The menu is here. Their “about” status on the company website shows:

“We believe that a good pizza starts with good flour. That’s why we use Caputo Flour, the finest ground flour in the world (milled 4 times). Caputo’s grain selection results in a naturally low-gluten product.

“Our sauce is made from La San Marzano tomatoes. These naturally-sweet and flavorful tomatoes are grown in soil fertilized by the volcanic ash of Mt. Vesuvius in the Gulf of Naples, Italy.

“Freshness is next to Godliness right? The fresh Mozzarella cheese on our pizzas and in our calzones is made fresh daily in-house, and our vegetables are also fresh-cut and roasted daily in our ovens. You will love them in many of our appetizers and pizzas.”

The first question, aside from an opening date (and some work already appears under way inside): Can downtown Rome support a fourth pizza spot? Mellow Mushroom and Johnny’s New York Style Pizza go at it across the median in the 200 block of Broad Street. Also, Schroeder’s N
ew Deli just a few blocks up does a good job with its pizza. A few other downtown spots offer a pizza — or have done so in recent years.

The answer: Yes. If Palladino’s comes in with any similar to what the folks at The Crushed Tomato do in Summerville, they’ll draw a crowd.

Coming next door to McDowell’s restaurant will be Swerve at 108 Broad St. From our earlier report: “Owners Val Featherston and Holly Chafin are bringing a “destination art studio” to Rome that will focus on various art classes and art parties for adults and children. Featherston also received a new beer and wine pouring license for her new studio last month. Some renovations are underway on the building that was the former home of Bob’s Body Shop and Broad Street Fitness. Look for Swerve to open sometime in November.”