HYATTSVILLE WIRE: Longtime Riverdale Park hangout Dumm’s Pizza and Subs will close on Friday, March 31.
Fernando and Debby Gonzalez, who took over the pizza place in 2019 earning praise for refreshing the menu, told the Hyattsville Wire they are closing down the pizzeria so they can expand 2Fifty Texas BBQ next door, which has been running short on space given its significant growth in popularity since opening in 2020.
“The dining area was filled up pretty quickly resulting in us not being able to accommodate customers who have traveled an hour-plus to visit 2fifty or turn them down or only offer takeout, specially if there is bad weather due to outdoor seating not being available,” said Debby Gonzalez.
She said the expansion will allow 2Fifty to update its dining room to modern building codes and make it safer, improve wheelchair accessibility and emergency exits and allow for better access for bikes and parking.
The barbecue joint will also be able to expand its range of side dishes using the kitchen at Dumm’s, including some of the menu items from the pizzeria, with 2Fifty’s own spin. Expanding to next door will also allow them to be open six days a week (closing only on Tuesdays).
It will take less than a month for 2Fifty to expand into the new space and they aren’t planning anything “too invasive” so they plan to keep the 1930s-era building they are occupying looking the same as it always has.
Debby Gonzalez told the Wire that 2Fifty will remain locally and independently owned and that they will expand their services for the community, such as fundraising efforts to benefit local schools and continue working with the Central Kenilworth Avenue Revitalization Community Development (CKAR CDC) to fight food insecurity.
A few framed articles about Dumm’s will remain on display after Friday’s closing while special merchandise will be given out for free to patrons visiting the pizzeria through the end of the week or until they run out.
