BURRILLVILLE – The owners of a popular food truck hope to set up shop on a private property on Hill Road this summer, and are asking town officials to create a process that would allow patrons to bring their own alcoholic beverages.
Martin and Crystalle Mitchell told members of the Burrillville Town Council this week that they plan to open The Sticks Pizza Co. at an outdoor space on the lot that once held Town & Country Plaza.
“The intent is not to use the building at all,” said Martin Mitchell. “There a space on the side that we’re going to clean up, put some fencing in.”
Mitchell said the business hopes to set up picnic tables to create an outdoor seating area on the lot.
“As of now, we just operate two days a week in stationary locations,” he said, noting currently, the business is limited to take out, events and private catering. “This would just be an option to have the people take the pizza and sit down and eat it, as opposed to having to throw it in the box and eat it 20 minutes later.”
Making their case to councilors on Wednesday, the Mitchells said that allowing customers to “bring their own bottle” under set guidelines in certain circumstances could offer economic benefits to the town.
“I believe that a carefully structured amendment could support local economic development while maintaining appropriate safeguards for public health and safety,” the couple noted in a letter to the council dated March 18.
The business owners also drafted a potential ordinance for the town, suggesting a process open to food establishments that don’t hold a liquor license, which would allow customers to bring drinks for personal consumption in a designated area.
“This ordinance is intended to establish a restricted, closely regulated, and revocable program permitting BYOB only under clearly defined conditions,” notes the suggested language.
The proposal imagines that councilors could issue a limited number of permits annually, which would be revokable at any time for cause. To apply, businesses would have to submit site plans, age verification procedures and more, according to the Mitchells’ plan.
The couple also suggests operating the ordinance as a pilot program for one year, followed by review.
First registered as a business with the Secretary of State in 2023, The Sticks Pizza Co. sells traditional and specialty pizzas and a few complimentary appetizers such as wings, churro bites and cheesy bread. In their distinct bright orange food truck marked with a round pizza-shaped logo, the Mitchells offer patrons the chance to grab a fresh pie during regular hours at locations such as Brigido’s in Pascoag or Phantom Farms Brewery in Cumberland.
In recent months, the currently vacant property at 255 Hill Road has frequently been a space for the restaurant on wheels to park for the night and serve customers. Once a six-unit strip mall that held many businesses over the years including a tattoo parlor, a laundromat, a thrift shop, restaurants and more, the 4-acre lot is owned by John Gaudet, who purchased the property from Anthony Martin in 2021.
At the meeting with councilors on Wednesday, March 25, the board asked a few questions before ultimately sending the matter to the Ordinance Subcommittee for further review.
“It’s a very interesting idea and you obviously put a lot of time and effort so very nicely done,” said Councilor Justin Batalon.
Council Vice President Stephen Rawson, who serves on the subcommittee, encourage the Mitchells to attend the future meeting.
