J.P. McCarthy's Pizza & Grill was officially welcomed to the area with a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday night hosted by the Wilmette Chamber of Commerce. The North Shore establishment had served the Winnetka community for 15 years before relocating to 4th Avenue and Linden Street in November.

It was one of two new pizza places to open in Wilmette last year.

Village officials, including president Chris Canning, and the Chamber's Executive Director Nada Becker were in attendance to sample J.P.'s well-known thin crust pizza and chicken wings.

Chef-Owner Val Bondar and his wife, Lena, cooked and served dozens of residents, as well as other local businessowners.