GRABBING A PIECE OF THE PIE

With the opening of two new pizzerias in College Park, the city's market for pizza may reach the point of saturation in the coming months, according to officials.

The two new restaurants will occupy space in a city lined with pizza restaurants, such as Ledo's, Domino's Pizza, Papa John's and Ratsie's. Fox's Pizza Den, a Pennsylvania-based restaurant franchise, is expected to open its doors in December, according to owner Phil Sardelis — and Naked Pizza, an organic pizzeria, grabbed retail space along the Route 1 corridor last semester.

City Economic Development Coordinator Michael Stiefvater said the city prefers this to vacant storefronts. However, Stiefvater and some students said they'd rather see independent, diverse restaurants find a new home downtown.

"I don't see why we would need more pizza places," said freshman mathematics major Joseph Burris. "There certainly is a lot of pizza available."

But Sardelis said he plans for Fox's Pizza Den — located at 9204 Baltimore Ave. — to get a slice of the marketplace.

With his business, Sardi's Catering, Sardelis said he has already established rapport with this university, catering events for the baseball team and events held in the chemistry building. He said he will advertise to students and air televised athletic games at his store to snag student patrons.

"We're looking at the University of Maryland for our first draw," he said. "We can be more in tune with the students."

Sardelis said he expects prices will range from $5.49 for a small pie to $11.99 for an extra-large pie and $34.99 for a 52-slice pizza.

However, Naked Pizza plans to satisfy a much different marketplace, offering a healthy alternative to this college staple, according to eatery spokeswoman Ellen Altamirano. The restaurant, on 7413 Baltimore Ave., has not yet finalized an opening date, she said.

"We based our whole new business model around something that is common and convenient like pizza and make it better for you," she said. "It is something that you can eat and not feel as guilty about."

The menu offers 10, 12 and 14-inch pizzas priced at $6.99, $7.99 and $8.99, respectively, Altamirano said.

"These days everyone is being a little bit smarter about what they eat," she said.

Altamirano said the pizzeria is a "happy medium" between mom-and-pop pizza joints and large franchises such as Papa John's.

Some students, such as freshman letters and sciences major Molly Rosenbaum, said Route 1 is in need of restaurants like Naked Pizza.

"There needs to be more organic options," she said. "Especially if it's pizza, because there isn't really organic, gluten-free pizza around here."

Hakan Ilhan, owner of Pizza Autentica, said he is more concerned about the opening of Bobby's Burger Palace and other nearby restaurants than about competing with pizza businesses like Fox's Pizza Den. Owners of Ledo's and Ratsie's could not be reached for comment.

"We are more of a fast-casual Italian restaurant than a delivery concept," Ilhan said. "It will probably be a different market anyway."

bach@umdbk.com