Mark’s Pizzeria moving to Main Street plaza in Albion, adding a sports bar

Photo by Tom Rivers: Brian Christiaansen is shown outside the former KFC and then Mecate Mexican Restaurant, where he will relocate Mark’s Pizzeria in Albion, with a sports bar going next door at the former location of Chia Sen, a Chinese restaurant.

ALBION – The Albion community will soon be getting a bigger Mark’s Pizzeria with a dine-in option, and a sports bar to follow.

Brian Christiaansen, owner of Mark’s Pizzeria in Albion, is moving the business from South Clinton Street to the plaza on South Main, at the former location of Mecate Mexican Restaurant and a KFC before that.

Christiaansen expects to move the Mark’s Pizzeria and have it ready in January. The site also has a drive-through window where he plans to offer slices and beverages.

“This will give us more room,” he said on Tuesday at the location where contractors have been busy. “The other building is tired, and worn down.”

He also is working to open a sports bar next to new Mark’s at the former Chia Sen, a Chinese restaurant at 170 South Main St.

This will become Tapped on Main II, and will be very similar to the sports bar he and his wife Lisa run on Main Street in Medina. The Albion sports bar should open in the spring, Christiaansen said.

The Albion community has been very supportive of Mark’s Pizzeria over the years, and he wants to offer the dine-in option and also provide the sports bar experience.

Both Mecate and Chia Sen recently closed, making the two sites available.

Christiaansen has been a Mark’s Pizzeria owner for more than 30 years. He started at age 22 as owner of the Mark’s in Hamlin in 1995. He also briefly owned sites in Brockport and Bushnell’s Basin.

He has been a long-term presence as Mark’s owner in Albion and Medina, and also is co-owner of the Mark’s in Newfane with Chris Marquardt. The two have been long-time business partners and friends. Marquardt also is a contractor and he is leading the renovations of the new Mark’s and Tapped on Main in Albion.

Christiaansen opened the Mark’s in Medina in 1997 with Albion following in 2007, and then Newfane in 2011. The three Mark’s sites have about 70 employees.

He was honored by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce last week with the “Businessperson of the Year” award for his steady growth at the Mark’s Pizzeria sites and with Tapped on Main in Medina, and his efforts to grow in Albion.

“Throughout his journey, Brian credits much of his success to the people around him,” said Darlene Hartway, the Chamber director. “His wife’s involvement and support have been essential to the growth of his businesses. He is especially proud of the employees and business partners who have worked alongside him over the years, recognizing that their dedication and contributions have helped make his success possible.”