Erie's Bayhouse and Pier 6 restaurants will be getting a new neighbor

This article is part of a recurring series that updates the status of properties of interest in the Erie area. Have a suggestion? Email jmartin@timesnews.com

Gus Pine had a list of priorities in mind when he took over as executive director of Erie Events in January of 2023.

One of those priorities was to find just the right tenant for the empty space next door to Bayhouse, a seafood restaurant located in a two-story building attached to the parking garage for the Courtyard by Marriott Erie Bayfront. Upstairs in the same building is the rooftop bar and restaurant Pier 6. Both are owned by John Melody and Russell Stachewicz.

Pine thinks that Erie Events has found just what he was looking for to fill that ground-floor space.

A new bayfront business

Pine said Erie Events is in the process of signing a lease with Monacella Massage & Kinesiology , which is located at 1001 State St. in Erie's Renaissance Centre.

Owner Missy Hitz, who has been in her current location since 2012, said her lease in the building was coming to an end and that the building's new owner plans to remodel.

Hitz, whose business specializes in therapeutic massage, said she will add other services, including body wraps and facials to better match the vacation mood of the waterfront location. She plans to hire estheticians in advance of the move.

Not just filling a space

Pine thinks the spa will be a good fit for the 3,300-square-foot space.

"It was high on my list to get something in there," he said. "Having it sit empty is not good for anybody. But just filling it with something to fill it isn't the right answer either."

The move won't happen right away.

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Pine will begin soon to solicit bids to upgrade the space, which has been vacant since the building opened so that it can be renovated to meet the needs of the spa. He hopes to have the space ready by the end of the year and that Monacella can open its doors in February.

"We have had several false starts, but this is happening," Pine said.

Hitz, who grew up in Erie's West Bayfront neighborhood, said she's enjoyed her years in the Renaissance Centre and the sense of community in the downtown landmark.

Ongoing activity on the bayfront has her convinced she's moving into another vibrant neighborhood.

From walking paths to Oliver's Beer Garden and new hotels, she sees a growing sense of vibrancy as the bayfront becomes more walkable and more accessible.

"I'm excited to build on that," she said. "I'm excited to be moving down there."

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Contact Jim Martin at jmartin@timesnews.com .

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie's Bayhouse and Pier 6 restaurants will be getting a new neighbor