SLICE OF PAIN: Famous Pizza Chain rival to close huge location in days as diners urged to say goodbye
According to The SUN USA, Donatos Pizza has announced the closure of its East 38th Street location in Erie, Pennsylvania, set to take place on September 9th. The company is encouraging loyal customers to stop by during its final days to say goodbye.
In a Facebook post, the pizzeria explained the decision behind the closure, sharing a nostalgic photo from the store’s opening day. “The East 38th Street Store is closing on September 9th. The location has the largest dining room of our three stores but by far the lowest dine-in sales. The space is simply too large to support the costs,” the post read.
The store’s lease is set to expire on January 1st, and Christina Vogel, owner of Donatos Pizza, has decided not to renew it. She chose to close the location early in order to transfer the East 38th Street staff to the two remaining Erie locations at Greengarden Boulevard and Harborcreek.
“I’ve been working at all three stores to cover staffing gaps, and I’m ready to stop doing that,” Vogel shared. She invited customers to visit during the store’s final week and express their support.
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Expanded Delivery Services to Serve the Community
Despite the closure, Donatos is expanding its delivery service to ensure that its customers are still well-served. The delivery areas previously covered by the East 38th Street location will now be divided between the Greengarden and Harborcreek stores. Customers living east of Parade/Pine will be served by Harborcreek, while those living west of Parade/Pine will receive deliveries from Greengarden.
Since the announcement, many local customers have expressed their sadness on social media. One longtime fan commented, “I’m really going to miss this one! I always stopped by for a small pepperoni pizza on my lunch break.” Another customer praised Vogel for her dedication to the community, writing, “You are one of the nicest business owners in the area. Best of luck to you.”
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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Business
Donatos Pizza’s East 38th Street location opened in December 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vogel recalled that shortly after opening, Pennsylvania state regulations forced restaurants to close their dining rooms. “We could offer drive-through pickup and delivery, but no one could eat inside. The location has the biggest dine-in area of our three stores, but it never really took off,” she explained.
Looking Ahead for Donatos Pizza
Looking forward, Donatos Pizza plans to move the current staff from the East 38th Street location to the other two Erie stores. Vogel estimates that most employees will stay on board, with only a few departures expected. The pizzeria will continue to operate during the final days, offering specials such as “$7 off any two large pizzas” during the Labor Day weekend.
Though the East 38th Street location will close, Donatos remains committed to serving the Erie community through its other locations and expanded delivery services.
