College Park’s landmark Ledo restaurant will have its last day under its current owners on Sunday, Nov. 21.
Established in 1955, the longtime institution at 4509 Knox Road has been set to close for much of the year as the owners looked to sell it and retire.
After it closes at 9 p.m. Sunday, it will reopen as a new Ledo Pizza franchise after a four to seven month remodel under the new ownership of Chesapeake Hospitality, a Greenbelt-based company that owns and manages hotels around the Eastern U.S.
The new fast casual sit-down restaurant will serve pizza, wings and similar menu items, and offer curbside pickup and delivery, according to the City of College Park, which owns the building. The owners may also put a smaller specialty food business in the 5,800-square-foot space.
A line formed around the block Saturday after the restaurant posted a sign in its window and on Instagram noting its last day.
In its heyday, the restaurant hosted sports legends like Yogi Berra, Johnny Unitas and Joe Namath at its original location in Adelphi. As the name implies, the Original Ledo Restaurant is separate from the Ledo’s Pizza chain.
Sad day in Adelphi. Even back in the late 50’s there was always a 45 minute wait no matter what day or time you called to order a pizza. Another loss.