Encore pizzeria to premiere at Cape's City Centre

Cody Kelley has around a decade of restaurant experience. He started at Fazoli's, managed a Chick-fil-A and worked at local establishments 36 Restaurant and Bar and Gabriel's Food + Wine. He's operated the A La Carte catering service since 2019.

Now he's set his sights on his next step: opening a pizza restaurant. Italian food has always been his passion.

"I think it's just the authenticity. It's very rustic and it's nostalgic for me. It just reminds me of cooking with my grandmother," Kelley said.

The restaurant, called Encore Pizzeria + Kitchen, will open Tuesday, Oct. 31. It is located at 2502 Tanner Drive in Cape Girardeau, within City Centre.

"Pizza's always been our passion. We just strive to make the best pizza possible," Kelley added.

Encore's menu will consist of pizzas, salads, appetizers and desserts. Every item will be made from scratch in the restaurant's kitchen.Courtesy of Cody Kelley

Encore's menu will consist of pizzas, salads, appetizers and desserts. Every item will be made from scratch in the restaurant's kitchen.Courtesy of Cody Kelley

Richard Bock, who has years of experience working in executive kitchens and growing his own food in California and Missouri, is Kelley's partner at Encore.

"We've been running pop-ups downtown," Bock said. "There's a lot of people who have had the opportunity to try our food, whether it's through soft openings or private dinners."

The duo also has served its pizzas regularly at Cape Girardeau's Many Good Things Brewing.

"That's kind of your entryway to Encore," Kelley explained. "We do pizzas only and it brings a really good crowd. It makes people know what we're about to do here."

A pizzeria, Bock added, naturally lends itself to bringing people together and hosting community events.

The first such event will be Encore's premiere on Halloween. Kelley and Bock will be handing out candy and give a 10% discount to customers who show up in costume from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Bock said the restaurant also will be able to host parties and private gatherings. It will have a casual atmosphere, he added, ideal for date nights or family outings.

The menu will feature various appetizers, salads, pizzas and desserts.

"I'd say, appetizer-wise, there are a few items on the menu that will wow you," Bock said. He called Encore's pizzas "... a selection well-cultivated to make sure we're not missing any flavor profiles, whether its sweet or savory."

Encore features a scratch kitchen. Every item, Bock and Kelley said, is made to order.

Though the duo has a small staff, both Kelley and Bock are looking to add to it. They credited their families with helping them over the past two months to make Encore a reality.

"From serving to late-night help to anything and everything ... it's been either his family or my grandmother or mother helping out," Kelley said. He also said his wife assisted with marketing the business.

Being in a location such as City Centre also instilled the owners with a strong sense of community. They've gotten to better know their neighbors.

"Every single person here has built their business from the ground up ... and that's where we want to see ourselves, as well," Kelley said.

Encore symbolizes next steps, and Kelley said that's exactly what he wants the new restaurant to be.

The pizzeria will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday.