Local Pizzeria Pete’s Is Closing Its First Restaurant as Wawa Takes Over

Pete’s, a local pizzeria that’s been serving New Haven-style pies in D.C. for nearly a decade, is closing its flagship eatery to make way for a new 24-hour Wawa.

The homegrown restaurant, known for its crispy pizzas and beer deals, is shutting down it’s inaugural outpost ( 1400 Irving Street NW) on Sunday, April 22, an employee confirmed to Eater. Pete’s debuted in Columbia Heights in 2008; it has since spread to Friendship Heights, Silver Spring, Maryland, and Clarendon, Virginia.

Popville first reported the news about regional chain Wawa moving in, an expansion which will also displace existing outposts of sandwich shop Potbelly’s and burger stand Five Guys. The roadside fixture, which first introduced itself to D.C. diners last year at 1111 19th Street NW, intends to plant a whopping 30 to 50 locations in D.C. over the long term. Next up: a Georgetown site scheduled to debut later this year.

A Pete’s employee says closing week deals are in the works, with details to be posted on its social media sites.