CELINA, Ohio — Since 1996, Dago Rodriguez has served pizza at Jimbo’s Pizza in Celina with a smile. But on Thursday, he couldn’t help but fight back tears. “I know that I’m emotional right now, but I can tell you that this is a beautiful community,” he said.
On Saturday, Aug. 31, Rodriguez will close the doors of his pizza shop for the last time. He said it’s a result of recent commercial rent hikes from the landlord in the area.
Rodriguez said he couldn’t afford to pay the increased amount. In May, WFAA reported Celina is one of the fastest-growing cities according to the U.S.
Census Bureau's latest city-by-city population estimates . Celina, which is about 40 miles north of downtown Dallas, topped the list with a nearly 27% increase from mid-2022 to mid-2023, bringing its estimated population to 43,717. Andres Terrazas, president of the Hispanic Business Alliance of Prosper-Celina-Gunta said this could be the unlikely fate of many small businesses in the city.
“It's going to be a very interesting challenge for the people of Celina on how to maintain a sense of community a sense of small-town environment as we continue to grow,” Terrazas said. Terrazas said he’s working to help businesses that are struggling with grants. The community is planning to show up and support the family-owned pizzeria on the 31st; however, some couldn’t wait that long and showed up on Thursday.
Ricky Leaks lives in Celina and has always known Jimbo’s Pizza. “We want to wish him well on the way out. it's just sad that he has to go like this,” Leaks said.
Rodriguez said he’s filled with joy knowing people care and are willing to help him out during this tough time. Some people in the community even made a GoFundMe to help. Rodriguez said he doesn’t know what’s next for him, but whatever he does he knows his community has his back.
“It’s a difficult situation but it’s a lot of love," Rodriguez said. Related Articles A popular Indian street food restaurant just opened its second North Texas location Texas must build hundreds of thousands of homes to address housing shortage, state report says Construction starts on DFW Airport Terminal C transformation.
