After Irvin closes Immix, new restaurant planned in College Avenue corner building

Baldwin expands from bars to start pizza place

By BECKY THOMAS

Staff Reporter

Fusion restaurant Immix, one of the only higher-end dining choices in Cheney, has closed. Owner and chef Matt Irvin, a Cheney native and longtime resident said he enjoyed his three years running the Immix, but chose to sell the downtown restaurant to focus on his catering business.

While Cheney is down one fine dining establishment, the future of the historic Second and College space that Immix occupied will offer a style of food and a proprietor that are both already present in Cheney.

Josh Baldwin, owner of downtown taverns Goofy's and Wild Bill's Longbar, has leased the space and begun renovations for a new pizza restaurant and pub, dubbed Zentropa.

“I've been looking at this space for a long time,” Baldwin said recently. “It's a great location. This is my favorite street in Cheney.”

Baldwin envisions Zentropa, named after the train in the classic film ‘Europa,' as a casual pub, serving New York style pizza using Baldwin's own recipes. The bar will offer wine and a wider variety of craft beers than can be found in most Cheney establishments. He also plans to offer growler fills for the hardcore beer lover.

The name was chosen in part as an homage to Cheney's railroad history, and Baldwin plans to make train history a part of the décor.

Baldwin approached Irvin about leasing the 122 College Ave. building in April, and Irvin closed Immix in mid-April, choosing instead to focus on catering business Fusion Catering.

Baldwin quickly began revamping the interior, bringing in booths and freestanding wood bars for diners and drinkers alike.

“Just making it a little more comfortable,” he said.

Work on the building and the menu is ongoing, and Baldwin hopes to open Zentropa later this summer or early fall. He'll use previous restaurant cooking experience in the kitchen, where he'll be making the pizzas himself. He plans to have a total of 10 employees and is considering delivery.

“I'm looking forward to it,” he said.

Becky Thomas can be reached at [email protected].