Oct 22, 2013 2 min read

An Italian store/restaurant tucked in the northeast corner of North Strabane Township, Merante will celebrate the grand opening of its bar/six-pack store starting at 5 p.m. Friday, The bar and lounge area, on the west end of the building, have displaced the coffee shop, which moves into the kitchen/restaurant area on the east side.

Domenica Merante, co-owner with her husband Anthony, said they had planned to serve alcohol when they opened March 9, 2012, but could not secure a liquor license until this year.

Customers of the West McMurray Road market will have options in the bar area – beer, wine and signature and seasonal cocktails.

They may sit at the bar or a large couch nearby with a drink and order from a Mediterranean tapas menu or wine dessert menu, They also may get a six-pack of beer to go from a large display case.

Eight brands of beer will be on tap and 80-plus varieties of six-packs will be available.

Domenica Merante said her business will operate daily. The bar, she said, will open at 10 a.m. every day, with a closing time to be determined. The store is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner.