My final visit to Gracie See Pizzeria

Last time at Gracie See from Frank Nemecek on Vimeo.
Gracie See Pizzeria has been an institution in the Warrendale neighborhood since they opened in 1969. For almost half a century have been what sociologists like Ray Oldenburg call "the third space" - places that are neither work nor home; places where neighbors can gather to catch up on each other's lives and share stories.

Places like this are part of what makes Detroit - or any other city - a truly livable community. For the past few years, it has been an honor to have Gracie See Pizzeria as a sponsor of this blog and a joy to host a monthly pizza party there.

It was with no small amount of sadness, therefore, that I walked into Gracie See Pizzeria for the final time before they closed. I will miss them. I will miss every single one of the people who made it a special place for decades.

While it doesn't diminish my sadness about losing Gracie's, I also remain thankful for Chick's Bar, Tijuana's Mexican Kitchen, Nick's and the dozens of other such places that remain in the Warrendale neighborhood.

The Warrendale (Detroit) Blog will return in earnest on Monday, February 1.

Last Party at Gracie's EVER

Pizza party at Gracie See Pizzeria - Photo by Frank Nemecek

I have hosted monthly pizza parties at Gracie See Pizzeria (6889 Greenfield Rd.) since 2008. They've been a great opportunity for friends and neighbors to come together to talk and share our lives. Unfortunately, they will soon come to an end.

Gracie See Pizzeria has been sold. The business will close on January 31. That location as well as the vacant liquor store north of there will be demolished for a new strip mall.

While it's sad to see an institution like this come to end, I feel it appropriate for us to gather one last time. My final pizza party at Gracie See Pizzeria will be on Wednesday, January 27 at 6:30.

I expect a large crowd for this one. Many former residents of the neighborhood have indicated that they will travel many miles for one last visit to the place that has been a Warrendale institution for nearly half a century.

RSVPs to the Facebook page are appreciated, but by no means necessary. I hope to see as many readers of this blog there as possible.

The Warrendale (Detroit) Blog will return in earnest on Monday, February 1.