An impressive new contender is preparing to toss its dough into the Columbia pizza scene. Pupatella, a DMV area favorite known for its commitment to authentic Neapolitan flavors, is opening its first Maryland location later this year, reports the Washington Business Journal.
The concept’s latest location will occupy 2,900 square feet at 9160 Bendix Road. Pupatella’s new home will have seating for up to 90 customers inside, and an outdoor patio for guests hoping to enjoy the sights of the city while they eat.
Natasha Neely, Pupatella’s director of brand marketing and growth, tells What Now DC that Columbia’s strategic location and dynamic atmosphere made it an ideal entrance to the Maryland market. “The site is a great location centrally located within a vibrant, tight-knit community where people live, work, eat, and play.” she state.
Neely adds that the new location is the end result of a convergence of favorable circumstances. She explains “The timing and location aligned perfectly with this great site in Columbia.”
While the Maryland Pupatella will carry the benchmarks that have made the brand so beloved through DC and Virginia, it will adopt aspects of its Columbia neighborhood. Neely states: “Pupatella’s is your ‘Neighborhood Neapolitan.’ Each location embraces its local community while offering the same great, authentic Italian foods and atmosphere.”
Locals eager to sample Pupatella’s fare can anticipate savoring the flavors of Italy, without ever having to leave Maryland. Neely describes the experience, stating: “Visitors can look forward to enjoying authentic Neapolitan flavors. We import our ingredients from Italy and make everything from scratch in-house, including our pizza dough, Napoli Street Snacks and more. As we grow, we stay true to our Italian roots, serving great, authentic Italian food. Our pizzas are VPN certified, meaning they meet the strict standards of authentic Neapolitan pizzas as certified by the government of Naples, Italy.”
Future regulars won’t need to wait much longer to try their new favorite pizza; Pupatella is planning to open in late July or early August.
While the brand is currently focused on successfully launching its first Maryland location, Pupatella has its eyes on the horizon, with continued plans for further growth. Neely explains: “We are excited to continue growing the Pupatella brand. The Columbia location is part of Pupatella’s 33% growth in the 2nd half of 2024 – Location #10: Capitol Hill (opened this past Monday), Location #11: Columbia (Summer 2024), and Location #12: Alexandria (late 2024). We are continually looking for new sites that fit the Pupatella brand.”
