New pizza joint 'taps' Auburn market

The building has been there since 1905, and for almost 80 years, it has been known as the Tiger Rec pool hall. Greg Bradshaw changed that when he decided to put a Mellow Mushroom pizza parlor in its place.

Bradshaw, an Atlanta native, graduated in 1990`from St. John's College in Annapolis, Md., with a master's degree. He taught high school English at Woodward Academy and Brentwood School in Georgia, while also coaching the football teams.

"I had the fortune of seeing Takeo Spikes play high school football," Bradshaw said.

After teaching for five years, he got into the restaurant business. "I didn't want to do fine dining. I wanted something casual, and I wanted a bar," Bradshaw said.

Mellow Mushroom, located on 128 N. College St., is the 30th store of the franchise, which began in Atlanta. This is only the second store outside of Georgia, the first being in Boone, N.C.

Bradshaw bought a franchise and began his quest for an "SEC or ACC college town." He said he had it narrowed down to Auburn or Chapel Hill, but the Plains' "old-fashioned downtown" won his heart.

"It turned out perfect location-wise. The market looked good. Students were obviously eating pizza," Bradshaw said, referring to the plethora of pizza joints in the Auburn area. Although Mellow Mushroom will not deliver this fall, Bradshaw said, "We will be equipped to deliver when the students return from Christmas break."

Bradshaw said there are few corporate regulations pertaining to the management of the franchise.

"They're not uptight at all," Bradshaw said.

The main concern is that all franchise owners meet certain quality regulations regarding the ingredients in the pizza.

"We're contractually bound to buy the best cheeses, meats and sauces," Bradshaw said.

Bradshaw said Mellow Mushroom will also use baker's ovens to cook their pies.

"It takes about 25 minutes to bake one of our pies Ñ we don't want to put out a schwag product," Bradshaw said.

Another aspect that will set Mellow Mushroom apart from other pizza places in town is the extensive selection of beers. They will have 18 beers on tap, including Warsteiner, Blue Moon Belgian White and Newcastle. Bradshaw said they will also carry 30 to 50 bottled selections.

Mellow Mushroom will open this Friday, and Bradshaw said he is "looking forward to seeing students come in, try a new beer and try a new product."

http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/plainsman/archives/96FA/0924/intrigue.html