DC Pizza Chain Eyes Baltimore Expansion
A DC pizza chain is putting more dough in Baltimore. Leaders at &pizza announced this week that they'll open a store in Federal Hill. CEO and co-founder Michael Lastoria tells Bisnow he would love to open more Baltimore locations if the first shop does well.
Fells Point and Hampden are among the neighborhoods that could fill up on &pizza. “Hopefully it’s a leaping point to expand further in Baltimore and potentially other markets,” Michael says of the Federal Hill location. Opening in a couple of months, the Federal Hill shop at 1201 S Charles St will seat 35. It could have a beer and wine license down the road, if the community supports the plan, Michael says.
The VC-backed company designs each shop to reflect the neighborhood, says Michael (pictured). Although the design hasn’t been determined for the Federal Hill storefront, it will incorporate steel and marble. &pizza, which has 14 locations in DC, serves seven signature pizzas and allows guests to craft their own. It relies on local producers to supply its sodas, teas and ingredients for the salads and pizzas.
&pizza is the latest pizza shop to expand in the region. Pizza Studio (pictured), Pie 360 and Bagby Pizza are among the others scouting new locations. Michael couldn’t say exactly how many stores the company would like to open in Baltimore.
