A new light for a North Hobart catalyst & landmark

Marti Zucco said today that “A new era has dawned for North Hobart with the name of a North Hobart institution in Marti Zuccos Pizza making way for the new.”

He also said that “The sadness is overcome by the anticipation, excitement and the success of the new venture on the site by three enterprising young men of which are part of the new breed of restaurateurs”

In 1977 after selling his second restaurant in Melbourne Marti Zucco moved to Hobart. Driving through North Hobart reminded him of Smith and Lygon Street in Melbourne. At that time unaware that North Hobart was not one of Hobart elite suburbs, well one of the least favourable areas with 13 empty shops available for rent at that time he established Marti Zucco Pizza Restaurant in 1978.

The First Marti Zucco was at 368 Elizabeth Street and in 1982 moved to 364 Elizabeth Street which was the catalyst for what North Hobart is today. A couple of years later George Haddad and Ann Ripper opened the Ali Akbar directly opposite Marti Zucco’s which was the first of many more restaurants to open over the next few years with North Hobart seeing peaks and troughs a new era is now dawning.

After 36 years as a North Hobart landmark the new owners of Marti Zucco Pizza ristorante have fully redeveloped the old Marti Zucco site in which will see the new venture further transform North Hobart and see North Hobart become the Mecca of Hobart’s restaurant and cafe scene.

Marti Zucco said today that “I have mixed emotions as to seeing Marti Zucco’s will be no more in North Hobart which was the catalyst in transforming what could be described as a derelict shopping precinct to what we have now have in a vibrant restaurant strip”

Marti Zucco also said that “One could say that Marti Zucco’s has played its role in time and is embedded in the History of North Hobart which is now a vibrant restaurant and liveable precinct where the value of both commercial and residential property Market has soured since the 1978 era”

He also said that “When I opened in 1978 I never imagined that North Hobart would end up being what it is today. It was a real struggle in the first 5 years but as they say persistence pays off in the long term”

He added that “It was time that the Marti Zucco name was changed but not only have we ended up with a name change but a complete transformation and a complete new direction for the new establishment under the name of “Capital” what also is exciting is that the new owners are sons of two very close friends who are also icons in the Hobart restaurant scene”

In conclusion “I believe that the new transformation of the site coupled with the vibrancy and hard working attitude of the three partners who have transformed the site into a new modern day restaurant will see North Hobart thrive and move forward in a new direction with other new and exciting developments that are on the cards for the area”
MARTI ZUCCO – City of Hobart – Alderman http://www.hobartcity.com.au/Home Personal Web: www.martizucco.com.au Facebook; martizucco – politics