Dunn’s downtown scene is preparing to level up as Rumble Pizza nears its highly anticipated opening. The new eatery, owned by Dunn native Jacob Godwin, aims to fill a gap in the downtown’s food offerings by introducing upscale pizza with a distinctive music-inspired flair.

Rumble Pizza draws its name and inventive spirit from Link Wray, the legendary musician native to Dunn, credited with pioneering guitar distortion. Wray’s most popular song was “The Rumble Man,” which is what the restaurant’s name is derived from. 

The pizzeria’s entire theme revolves around the town’s rich musical history. Guitars, original posters and memorabilia of famous local musicians will decorate the space, with each signature pizza named in honor of notable figures from Dunn’s music scene – including specialties like “The Link,” after Link Wray and “The Oz Pizza,” which is named after Band of Oz from Dunn. 

The vision for Rumble Pizza emerged from Godwin’s experience managing Harnett Regional Theater, where he recognized the need for a quality dining spot for theatergoers before and after performances. Setting itself apart from chain restaurants, Rumble Pizza will feature unconventional options such as hot honey pizzas and toppings like pulled pork, catering to patrons seeking a unique, upscale experience.

Preparations are in full swing as the team puts the finishing touches on the establishment. A 6,000-pound brick oven will soon be installed, accompanied by striking eight-foot-wide guitar chandeliers and other custom decor. 

Community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with an outpouring of applications for staff positions and residents eager for doors to open. Rumble Pizza plans to host soft openings and VIP tasting events prior to the public launch, scheduled for February. 

“I'm just excited to get it open…there's a lot of talk in the community about and we're just, we're ready to show everybody what we've been working on for the past year,” remarked Godwin.

Rumble Pizza is located at 215 E Broad St. in downtown Dunn.  Once open, the restaurant will operate from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday with potential to extend hours during special downtown events.