GENEVA — Capo’s Pizza, a cherished family-owned pizzeria, is making a return to Geneva under new management. Siblings Tony Capo Jr. and Alyssa DeAngelo are stepping into the roles of new owners, eager to continue the family’s long-standing tradition.
Capo’s Pizza, which operated in Geneva-on-the-Lake for over 50 years, had to close during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pizzeria’s history began in the late 1950s in Hornell, New York, where Tony Capo’s grandfather first opened the Pizza Oven. The family later moved to New Brighton and, in 1965, found themselves in Geneva-on-the-Lake by chance.
Tony Capo Jr. explained, “They were on their way to Conneaut Lake Park but ended up in Geneva-on-the-Lake and decided it was a great place to relocate.” The family’s West Main Street location, known as Capo’s Pizza II, opened in 1977.
Now, Tony Capo Jr. and Alyssa DeAngelo are ready to revive the beloved eatery. DeAngelo shared her enthusiasm, saying, “We’ve been working in the pizza shop since we were kids. It’s exciting to continue our family tradition and serve the community.”
The previous owners, Tony Capo Sr. and Pam Capo, humorously advised their children against taking over the business. Despite this, Capo’s Pizza II will reopen with some updates but will keep the core elements that made it popular.
The dining room, closed since the pandemic, will reopen with full service. “Our parents added the dining room in 2005,” Tony Capo Jr. said. “We plan to bring back pasta dishes and possibly host some fun events.”
The new owners are committed to maintaining the original recipes. DeAngelo emphasized, “We will not be changing the recipes. Our pizza dough has only five ingredients, and our special seasoning mix is key to our delicious sauce. It’s our grandma Capo’s homemade sauce.”
Capo’s Pizza will also reintroduce its beer and wine selection and accept credit card payments, which were suspended during the pandemic. “We’re excited to bring back the beer and wine selection and make things easier for our customers,” DeAngelo noted.
The new management plans to offer catering services and seasonal items. “We hope to have special events and maybe some soups in the fall and winter,” Capo said. “We want to keep it community-oriented and make it a fun place for everyone.”
Community response has been positive. DeAngelo reported, “People are excited. I’ve seen old customers and friends who can’t wait for us to reopen.”
Capo’s Pizza aims for a soft opening in early September, with an official reopening around September 5 or 6. The new owners are preparing for a busy return and look forward to continuing the pizzeria’s legacy.
Capo reflected, “It’s humbling to know that many families in Geneva centered their Friday nights or dinners around Capo’s pizza. We’re thrilled to continue the legacy and look forward to serving our loyal customers again.”