Matchbox Pizza Is Moving Into Downtown Silver Spring

Matchbox will soon have a presence in the downtown development of Silver Spring.

The local chain is adding wood-fired pizzas to the scene in a chain-heavy district of Maryland that features a Red Lobster, a Copper Canyon Grill and a Lebanese Taverna within walking distance of a Regal Cinemas and the AFI Silver Theater.

Washington Business Journal reports that the new Matchbox location will open in the first quarter of next year inside the former Hen Quarter building at 919 Ellsworth Drive. Hen Quarter, which shuttered that location this past weekend, is controlled by Thompson Hospitality, the group that assumed control of Matchbox in July. According to the Matchbox website, the brand only has one current location in Maryland (Rockville).

Under the direction of CEO Harvey Metro, WBJ reports, Matchbox has added the tag Vintage Pizza Bistro back to its name, a return from the Matchbox Kitchen & Spirits moniker implemented in 2015. Reducing square footage and focusing more business at the bar have been goals of Matchbox since Thompson took over in July, bringing an $11 million investment to the table along with a plan to curb national expansion in exchange for more modest local growth. Metro tells WBJ that Matchbox plans to open three additional restaurants in 2019.

• Matchbox goes into growth mode with new D.C.-area restaurant [WBJ]
• Thompson Hospitality Is Now in Charge of Matchbox Food Group [EDC]