Originally published on Sudbury.com
By Anatasia Rioux
Thirty years ago, when Mark Gregorini’s parents opened Verdicchio’s Restaurant, many wondered how fine dining could be successful in an industrial park.
But now the district has become a bustle of activity with a newly coined unit called District 1351, which was launched last month.
“My dad had his own reason for setting up shop there. He liked the challenge because he has always believed that if you have a good product, people will find you,” Gregorini said.
Fast forward three decades, and the West End district now offers patrons a distillery, a banquet hall, a marketplace, a hockey academy and mixed martial arts facility, and even a pottery store.
And it now all falls under a newly branded umbrella of businesses: District 1351.
“Our family got together and came up with this new concept in an effort to modernize the area,” Gregorini said. “We want to continue to build on the idea of a distillery district that attracts neighbours and tourists who can enjoy the amenities.”
The area is equipped with sidewalks and bike paths for the neighbouring community, which means foot traffic has become a reality. Plus, the location of the district is a hop, skip and jump off the nearby Trans Canada highway.
District 1351 is named after the actual street number. Gregorini said the feedback has been great so far.
“Visiting tourists and neighbours have not only been optimistic, but they are full of other forward-thinking ideas,” Gregorini said.
With that, the vision expanded once again to encompass a series of year-round sea can storage units for the industrial park.
“Customers have suggested allowing people to market test kitchens of their own in the structures,” he said.
The district concept has caught on in other cities, he added, so it makes sense and is doable here.
“We are more than a mining town. We are more than a construction park. We are a lifestyle with entertainment and a community. We even have a hairdresser in the area now!,” Gregorini said.
Last month, District 1351 invited the public to celebrate Pasta Palooza in the area. Crosscut Distillery was one of those in the area that saw the uptick.
Corissa Blaseg, the event co-ordinator for the distillery, said she’s excited for what the future holds for District 1351.
“Crosscut has been on Kelly Lake Road for six years and every year there is more foot traffic and vehicular traffic. We are seeing new faces and it is great to see people are embracing this community,” she said.
The official signage has been launched in the district. Learn more by visiting District1351.ca.
Anastasia Rioux is a writer in Greater Sudbury. Let’s Eat! is made possible by our Community Leaders Program
Article by: Anastasia Rioux
