Many restaurants in the area are doing their part to raise money for the expansion of the South Coastal Library and Joshua M. Freeman Cultural Center on Kent Avenue in Bethany Beach, providing a variety of one-night charity events.
Coastal Point • RYAN SAXTON
Ron and Matt Drosdzal of Armand’s Pizzeria. Ron is the owner and Matt, his son, works at the pizzeria.
Ron Drosdzal, owner of Armand’s Pizzeria in the Sea Colony Marketplace, however, is going above and beyond that effort. In addition to giving customers the restaurant’s usual Italian cuisine, a percentage of the proceeds raised at Armand’s through the entire month of November will go towards the capital campaign to expand the library.
The awareness of the charitable contribution is beneficial to the business too, though, as Drosdzal mentioned, customers would still frequent the shop throughout the season.
“They’re coming regardless,” he said. “Each year has gotten bigger and bigger. It’s turned into a full-time job, and we have a pretty loyal following.”
Running the pizzeria has become quite a family affair for Drosdzal, who has spent much of his life in the communications business in the Washington, D.C., area, and still commutes throughout the year. His son, Matt, has been helping with the business for years, too.
Most of Armand’s recipes are concocted by Ron Drosdzal’s nephew, Justin Venasco, a school teacher at Most Blessed Sacrament School in Berlin, Md.
“I did it for my kids,” said Drosdzal of establishing the eatery. “I’d had a place down here and wanted to work with them and do something that they’d enjoy.”
Over its six years of operation, Armand’s following has been a growing process.
“It can be a lot of work,” said Drosdzal, “but business seems to be very contingent on the weather.” In the summer months, the number of employee can stretch into the thirties, while business now only demands the work of a handful of workers.
For customers, outside seating is available during the summer with roughly 100 seats, in addition to the 65 accommodations inside. Most of the local delivery service in the warmer times of the year is done on bikes, and some orders are even dropped off directly on the beach.
Charitable donations are nothing new for Drosdzal and his restaurant. Last year, he raised $3,000 for the Bethany Beach Fire Department.
“The thing we want to stress is that we’re here for the community,” he said. “We set up a fireman’s boot and donations started coming in. A huge part of running a business is helping out wherever you can. I wish I could do more, but I can do only so much.”
In the past, Drosdzal has also donated time and money to other foundations and organizations, including the Special Olympics, Lord Baltimore Elementary School’s reading program, athletic teams and programs, and local churches.
“It’s a real great way to help out and meet people,” he added. “I think the community understands that we’re here for them.”
To assist with the seasonal shift in business, Armand’s offers a second-season alternate menu to their customers. Traditional-style and famous Chicago-style deep-dish pizza are still among their top sellers, though specialty subs and grilled sandwiches are also available.
“Our food is made from scratch,” Drosdzal emphasized. “That’s what brings a lot of the people back.”
From eggplant parmesan to Pasta Genovese, there is a pasta dish for nearly any taste. Specials deals pop up through the week, as well, with $1 Pizza Night on Mondays, where customers can purchase one pizza at regular price and receive a second at equal or lesser value for only $1. On Thursdays and Sundays, patrons can order two entrees for the price of one.
Armand’s, located in the Marketplace in Sea Colony near Bethany Beach, is open during the second-season Thursday through Monday, with hours from 11:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. For more information, call (302) 539-7000.