TAMPA, Fla. — After four decades, a popular Tampa pizzeria is forced to close.
- Original CDB Pizza and Italian Restaurant first opened in 1970s
- Restaurant will close its doors for the last time Thursday night
- Restaurant tables, signs will be sold at auction
- More Hillsborough County stories
The original CDB Pizza and Italian Restaurant, located at 5104 East Fowler Avenue, will serve its last customers Thursday night.
"Forty years coming to the same place, you don't want something to change," said longtime customer Logan Mitchell. "So many places open and close. You knew CDB was going to be there."
When the pizzeria first opened in the 1970s, the restaurant was known for making delicious pizza for only $4.
"This is not your quick pizza," said Mitchell. "It's the taking your time, cooking your pizza."
For 45 years, the pizza and other specialties brought faithful customers to the tables. The drinks drew USF students to the bar.
By Friday it will all be a memory.
The restaurant owners said they're closing CDB because of a legal dispute with the property owner.
Eventually, all the land is expected to be redeveloped.
"We're not doing this because we want to, we're doing this because this is something that we have to do," said CDB Pizza and Italian Restaurant partner Brandon Byers.
This week, the tables and neon signs have been tagged for an auction. After years of bargain meals, everything will be sold to the highest bidder.
The auction will be held at the pizzeria Friday morning at 10 a.m.
Those faithful customers are now left to savor only the memories.
"Sad to see it go," said longtime customer Karen Salman. "Definitely sad to see it go."