A pizza place that’s been a fixture on East 194th Street for almost three decades is closing on Sunday.

Silvio and Maria DiMeglio, owners of the aptly named Silvio and Maria’s Pizza, say that they would have stayed longer, but their landlord decided to sell the property to a developer.

Known for their hospitality and good food, the place has become a favorite of neighborhood residents and notable New Yorkers. Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, singer Mario Vazquez and musician Judy Torres have all stopped in.

The couple has been married for 23 years and almost every customer knows them on a first-name basis.

Silvio grew up on 151st Street and Morris Avenue, and wanted to open up a pizza place in the Bronx. In 1985, he settled on the East 194th Street establishment.

“It was the only place I could afford back then and the location was ideal,” Silvio said, adding that Maria’s mother floated the couple a loan to help them get started.

His career path was clear to him at a young age.

“I’ve been making pizza since I was 14; that’s just what I do,” Silvio said.

Within a few years, after the store had established itself in the community, Silvio and Maria began catering larger events at Lehman College and Fordham University.

Nick Napolitano, a Norwood resident who became acquainted with Silvio and Maria’s when he worked at Fordham’s Community Service office, is a big fan.

“The couple is very well known in the area and very appreciated,” he said. “Their store is the best place for pizza for several blocks, probably from Webster to the Grand Concourse. We’re definitely going to miss them because the food is great, not to mention that they’re great people.”

The store’s landlord, Norman Mirsky, who also owns two other adjacent lots, recently decided to sell the property to a developer. The deal was hurried along by Mirsky and the developer, which left Silvio and Maria with a tough decision to make. “They told us that we could stay until our current lease expired in four years and then leave with no money or we could accept a buyout immediately,” Silvio said.

Faced with getting nothing for all of their hard work, the couple decided to take the buyout offer. Mirsky wouldn’t give out the name of the developer, but he did say that they’re based in Queens and they build affordable housing.

Maria and Silvio, who live in Stony Point in Rockland County, aren’t quite sure yet what the future holds.

“We’ve been so busy with the closing that we’re planning on taking some time off,” Silvio said.

They are considering opening another store in the Bronx and have spoken to Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation, a local nonprofit landlord, about possibilities, but nothing is certain.

The couple has grown so close to the community that they invited several customers, including Napolitano, as well as their staff and their staffs’ families to a barbecue at their house.

Silvio looks back at his time in the Bronx fondly.

“Most of my customers are like family to me and Maria,” he said. “We’re going to miss everyone in the neighborhood.”

Ed. note: Silvio and Maria’s Pizza is located at 311 E. 194th St. between Bainbridge and Marion avenues. The restaurant’s last day is on Sept. 7.