For 50 years, Shakespeare’s Pizza has been a cornerstone establishment for the Columbia community.. On Sept. 23, Shakespeare’s held its 50th Big Bash, blocking off stretches of Ninth and Elm Street to invite in bands as well as local businesses including STRFKR and the Columbia Art League. 

Rosie Anderson-Harper, a Columbia resident and a longtime patron. She first went to Shakespeare’s in its opening months when she was nine years old, and she hasn’t stopped going since. 

“I’ve eaten this pizza for 50 years. It’s the best pizza. Ever. And I tell everybody else that the best pizza is Shakespeare’s Pizza,” Anderson-Harper said. 

During the event, Shakespeare’s encouraged attendees to commemorate their 50 years in Columbia by recording their memories of the restaurant. Event organizers placed five large wooden blocks out on the street, one for every decade it had been open. Employees distributed markers for visitors to decorate the blocks with their memories and thoughts about Shakespeare’s.

Harper’s husband John Harper did just that — his mark, a memorialization of the two’s first date at Shakespeare’s years prior when the two went after a game during their time at MU in 1983.

“She was in Marching Mizzou. She was as hungry as could be, and I brought her here for our first date,” John said. 

The establishment holds enough meaning to them that they made sure to take their kids as well, starting when they were just infants.

The significance of Shakespeare’s rings as true for MU students as it does for the rest of Columbia. Students also come down for the atmosphere and good food that they offer. Olivia Hampton, an MU student, attended the event with two of her friends.

“I remember seeing that it was their anniversary, so we decided to come down and see what it’s all about. And then I heard a few people talking about the artist that were performing tonight,” Hampton said. 

She also emphasized the importance of supporting and celebrating local restaurants.

“Keeping the community and culture of Columbia strong by supporting local businesses is really exciting and lively,” Hampton said. 

Friends Madeline Agee, an MU student, and Chloe Thacker, a Columbia local,heard about the event as they were leaving Agee’s dorm and decided to stop by to celebrate Shakespeare’s.

“We were walking out of our dorms and ran into somebody who had just been here and decided we wanted pizza,” Agee said.

As a Columbia resident, Thacker enjoys how the downtown area restaurants and businesses  facilitate community among students. She also feels that the local businesses in Columbia help support the locals and students by keeping out chains.

However, since the event took place outside, it couldn’t be shielded from the weather. This meant that the headliner, STRFKR, was unable to take the stage due to inclement weather. 

Even through the hiccups at the end of the night, the celebration was one that brought everyone together to honor the restaurant and celebrate all of its years open. 

“I just think that Shakespeares is like a cornerstone. It’s iconic. They have great pizza. And they’ve been serving it up for 50 years,” Anderson-Harper said. 

Edited by Alex Goldstein | agoldstein@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Audrey Dae Bush and Grace Knight