MACON, Ga. — Mercer Village now has a new place to stop in for lunch and dinner in the spot where Jags Pizzeria used to sit.
Mercer Village Pizza sits in the heart of Mercer Village, and they had their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday.
Lots of family, friends and community members came out along with some local officials like Mayor Lester Miller.
Everyone was welcome to grab a slice of pie while listening to live music and mingling with others.
Appetizers of caprese bites were set out, along with different flavors of pizza being handmade in the back and brought out for folks to grab.
Owner Joseph Kiefer looks forward to serving the local community and says they offer something unique.
"Immediately come try it. Immediately," he said. "We're gonna provide something completely different, but not stray away from simple pizza and beer and good food and good appetizers."
For a full list of pizza and beer MVP offers, you can check out their menu here.
Kiefer went on to say that serving the community is one of their top priorities.
"I'm all about serving the community first and foremost," he said.
Kiefer has some experience in the restaurant business, and used to hail from Shakey's Pizza. Some of the recipes and menu items from Shakey's will make an appearance on the MVP menu.
"There's a lot of nuances and different recipes that have evolved that we're trying to bring back," he said. "It brings an old flavor back, it brings the classics back, and its very nostalgic."
He said that growing up he always wanted to own his own business, and it was surreal to see his dream come to life.
He recalled that the whole process of opening the restaurant has been about relationships.
"Every bit of what we've done between me and my partner has been built on relationships," he said. "Being right here on the campus, we wanna make sure there's relationships built through partnerships as well."
If you didn't make it to the grand opening on Thursday, MVP is open Monday - Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
You can find them at 1635 Montpelier Ave in Macon.