Gionino’s Pizzeria is coming to Painesville Township. The Ohio-based pizza chain is set to open at 1536 Mentor Ave., near the intersection with Normandy Drive. The restaurant will be the second Gionino’s in Lake County, after its Mentor location. Brian Strebler, identified as one of the owners o f the franchise that operates both Lake County locations, said in a phone call that the Painesville Township site will probably open after Feb. 9. The timing will come down to permits and other needs. Strebler said the Gionino’s menu includes pizza and fried chicken. “We just love the quality of the ingredients, and everything’s done right,” he said. “There’s no corner-cutting.” Strebler added that the restaurant’s fried chicken is “every bit as good as the pizza.” He said that the meat is marinated in spices for at least a day and is pressure-fried. He added that the restaurant is looking for delivery drivers for its Painesville Township location. People interested in applying can call the Mentor restaurant at 440-209-0000 or apply at gioninos.com. The sign for the upcoming Gionino's Pizzeria at 1536 Mentor Ave., Painesville Township, is pictured on Jan. 27. The franchise leadership expects the restaurant to open in February. (Bryson Durst -- The News-Herald) After it opens, Strebler said the restaurant’s hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The franchise’s Mentor restaurant is located at 7710 Lakeshore Blvd. and operates with the same hours. The Gionino’s website said that it has served pizza for more than 36 years. Its first location opened in Tallmadge, and its website currently lists 60 other locations. All of its locations are in Ohio, and many of them are in Northeast Ohio. Painesville Township Trustee Gabe Cicconetti recently commented about the restaurant’s planned opening on Facebook. “Another new business coming to Painesville Township,” Cicconetti said. “Along with our zoning department, we continue to foster an environment that is welcoming and inviting to new businesses that continues to result in investment in our community.” ...read more read less