CELINA, Texas — 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 on the space he leases. Rodriguez said he can't afford the increased rates.
In May, WFAA reported that 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 that the situation Jimbo's Pizza is facing could be the unfortunate fate for 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 by helping them to apply for grants.
The community is planning to show up and support the family-owned pizzeria on Saturday -- but some couldn’t wait that long to offer their support, and instead showed up on Thursday, including Celina resident Ricky Leaks.
“We want to wish him well on the way out," Leaks said. "It's just sad that he has to go like this."
Rodriguez is trying to look on the bright side of things -- knowing that people care and that they are willing to help him out during this tough time. While Rodriguez said he doesn’t know what’s next for him, he said he now knows that, whatever he does, his community has his back.
“It’s a difficult situation but it’s a lot of love," Rodriguez said.