Durham House of Pizza to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

The local landmark marks five decades of service in Durham this November.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Screen-print poster illustration of a wooden pizza peel leaning against a brick wall, evoking local business heritage. — Durham House of Pizza marks its 50th anniversary in November 2026, commemorating five decades of continuous service in the Durham community. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Durham House of Pizza will celebrate 50 years of continuous operation in November 2026. The restaurant remains a staple of the Durham community after opening its doors in 1976.

Why it matters

The business has maintained its longevity through a dedicated family commitment to fair pricing and consistent charitable support for the local area.

The restaurant employs 15 to 20 people and operates within a 48-seat dining room at its current 38 Main St. location. Weekly output averages between 1,000 and 2,000 pizzas, with volume peaking at 2,000 units on Kentucky Derby Day.

The players

Durham House of Pizza

This local restaurant has served the Durham community since 1976.

The Petrovitsis family

Stephen and James Petrovitsis founded the restaurant, which is now managed by Justin, Jordan, and John Petrovitsis.

The details

Founded by Stephen and James Petrovitsis, the restaurant serves food based on family recipes for dough and sauce. Currently, the business is managed by Stephen's sons, Justin, Jordan, and John.

November 1976: Durham House of Pizza opened.
1982: The restaurant moved to 38 Main St.
November 2026: The business celebrates 50 years of operation.

Market Landscape

The business marks a milestone that reflects the survival patterns documented in the National Restaurant Association's longevity statistics for independent dining establishments. This endurance highlights the rarity of family-owned eateries maintaining operations for five full decades.

Residents can continue to access the restaurant's menu at its long-standing 38 Main St. location. The operation maintains consistent service levels, ensuring that patrons experience no changes to availability as the anniversary approaches.

The takeaway

Maintaining a successful restaurant for 50 years requires a consistent focus on core family recipes and community engagement. Local business owners can look to this example as a blueprint for long-term operational stability.