Edmond residents expecting to enjoy a third Falcone's Pizzeria and Deli store can fuggedaboutit, according to a report in The Edmond Sun.
Italian food connoisseurs know the popular restaurant as the place to "put some bada bing on that thing." Falcone's, which serves up Old World specialties in an atmosphere that includes "Godfather" movie memorabilia, displays the "Top 10 reasons to get whacked" for hungry customers. The No. 1 reason? "Asking us if we are in the Mafia!!"
Why isn't a third Falcone's coming to Edmond? A site plan allowing an Italian flag awning was turned down recently by the Edmond Planning Commission, the Sun reported.
"They had no valid reason for denying me," owner Danny Falcone said, according to the Sun. "I'm way under the city code with all my copy and print. To me it's discrimination. I'm 100 percent Italian and I find it insulting that they are giving me trouble with my colors."
In order to use the same awning style with the green, white and red color scheme, Falcone reportedly needed to amend the site plan at the Edmond store, which was to be located at 180 W. 15th. The Sun reported the awning proposal wasn't consistent with the original site plan, according to Bob Schiermeyer, Edmond's city planning director. Schiermeyer said the awning's wording didn't meet signage requirements.
"Can you have a sign on the awning?" Schiermeyer asked. "Yes, you can. Does the awning that doesn't have the copy count as the sign? No."
Falcone told the Sun he probably would not appeal the decision at the Edmond City Council Nov. 13.
"I'm not waiting until November to get knocked down again," Falcone said. "I'm trying to get out of there now. I'm not out of pocket any money except for what I paid for the awning " about $6,000."
CFN is saddened by this development. Instead of having an Edmond option, now we'll just have to stick to the N. May Avenue and Bricktown Falcone's locations when we're craving garlic knots with capicola and fresh mozzarella. Bucky the intern likes to stick his fingers inside the cannoli and lick 'em clean.
