Cook's Pizza in Wakarusa has been operating for nearly 50 years

WAKARUSA — If you've ever been to Wakarusa, you've probably visited Cook's Pizza.

It was founded by two teenage brothers nearly 50 years ago.

Not much has changed over the years. WSBT 22 talked with the owners about their long-standing success.

Most mornings, Stan Cook can be found in the back of Cook's Pizza preparing fresh ingredients. At the same time, a local group can be found drinking coffee discussing the events of the day. Attendance varies.

Stan and his brother Steve opened the business in the building on August 1, 1971. It was previously an ice cream parlor.

“We started out at pretty low maintenance. We started out with ice cream, a small grocery line and we added sandwiches, and then we added pizza, and here we are today,” said Stan.

Starting out, they didn't have any particular plan in mind. Over the years, its popularity grew

“I don't know how it all became this way. I mean we've got restaurants that do quite well. It’s just the way it came together. We didn't plan it that way, but that's what happened,” said Stan.

It’s now a gathering place throughout the day. Changes to the inside have been minimal.

He says the busiest time is between 11 to 2 and 5 to 8, and in between

He says they want to keep doing what they're doing.

“We like to think it’s our customers that made us successful. We've got a lot of good support here,” said Stan.

He says over the years, Cook's Pizza has developed a local following that goes in there like clock-work through the day. It’s part of their daily routine. From time-to-time in the past, there have been some well-known customers that would stop by there. One of those, Gayle Sayers who played football for the Chicago Bears.

“Very approachable, but yet he would kind of like come up at two in the afternoon when it wasn't quite busy kind of. So it wasn't overwhelming. He kind of likes his privacy,” said Stan.

A part of the fabric of the history of the business.

Stan says his brother Steve comes in about mid-morning. Their sister Jenna also works there.