Victoria Cheyne
Assistant MOVE Editor

Maybe it’s the signature pizza, the welcoming and lively ambience or the reliable uniformity of the overall experience that makes Shakespeare’s so special. When you go there, you know you’ll get good college-town pizza and share laughs with your friends. Shakespeare’s has been one of Columbia’s main attractions for 43 years, and it is as much a part of tradition as Homecoming. This year, Shakespeare’s is back in its original location on Ninth Street and is busy preparing for the big event.

According to general manager Toby Epstein, Homecoming is the busiest weekend of the year for the restaurant, and a lot of preparation and work goes into the chaotic event.

“The most we can do is prepare ourselves as best as possible so that we can serve everybody as well as we can and under the circumstances of the Homecoming crowd,” Epstein said.

According to Epstein, about 1,200 pizzas will be made Saturday, and a couple thousand pounds of flour and cheese are expected to be depleted in the process. Storing the excess ingredients prior to the weekend typically poses a challenge. In addition to food preparation, work schedules and hours of operation must be planned. Many more employees will work and for longer shifts. The restaurant will open early Saturday, at 9 a.m., and will stay open as long as the demand for pizza is present. Hours on Friday and Sunday will likely remain routine, though.

“It’s not like another weekend where we might want to engage in some kind of marketing or we want to have a special event go on,” Epstein said. “We know it’s going to be chaos and the best thing for us to do is sort of brace ourselves.”

Shift manager Luke Arnzen began working at Shakespeare’s in 2006 while he was a student at MU, and has worked the past seven Homecomings since he graduated.

“The best way to describe it is ‘organized madness,’” Arnzen said in an email. “The only thing to do is not let the work overwhelm you. At some point all the pizza will be made and everyone gets to go home.”

According to Arnzen, preparation for the weekend — specifically, ingredients and toppings — begins Thursday, so enough is ready for Friday and Saturday.

“We get extra help from employees that don’t normally work that day. We make sure everyone gets a break or two while working, and we try and keep the kitchen light-hearted and enjoyable for the staff and customers,” Arnzen said. “The owners will bring in snacks and drinks to [have] in between meal breaks.”

While occupying its temporary space on Eighth and Elm streets, Shakespeare’s had the means to bring business outside for Homecoming. The larger outdoor space allowed the restaurant to put up tents, add seating to the parking lot and sell pizza and beer outside.

“If you can expand your business as much as possible to bring in as many people as possible, that’s kind of your goal,” Epstein said.

Without additional space, though, Shakespeare’s seldom organizes large events specifically in honor of Homecoming.

“So rarely have we ever done sort of a special, gimmicky thing,” Epstein said. “We try to just be Shakespeare’s, and it seems to be a part of the Homecoming weekend celebration for everybody.”

This year, Shakespeare’s will participate in Decorate the District, a Homecoming tradition that has taken place for several years, said Aly Friend, Mizzou Alumni Association coordinator of student programs. This tradition involves various groups throughout the community, not exclusively Greek organizations, decorating the exteriors of businesses along the Homecoming parade route with a specific theme in mind. This year’s theme is “A Tail of Tradition,” with a sub-theme of “Truman’s Tall Tails.” The whimsical illustrations will be judged by a panel upon completion. Due to a large number of groups decorating this year, Shakespeare’s will be decorated by three organizations, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Tau Delta and the Student Nurses Association.

“It’s an easy way for groups to get involved [and] spread a little love downtown,” Friend said.

If you’re planning on going to Shakespeare’s this weekend, be aware of your timing. According to Epstein, it’s always busiest for several hours before the game and then immediately after for a couple of hours. The wait for pizza can range anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, and sometimes goes over for brief periods.

“We’ve worked very hard over the last 43 years,” Epstein said. “But we’re also very fortunate to be a business that is so well-recognized [and] part of ‘home’ to these people.”

_Edited by Katie Rosso | krosso@themaneater.com_