Shane Vogel, owner of Pizza King and Sugar Daddy’s in Wellsville, brings 27 years of experience to the restaurant
By JOHN ANDERSON
When Stillwater Pizza and Grill expanded from the location in Belfast to Wellsville and opened in 2018, a unique dining experience to Main Street.
Since being closed in May of 2021, a lot of residents, and visitors from out-of-town have lamented they wanted to see it open again.
Shane Vogel is granting that wish.
Vogel, who owns Pizza King and Sugar Daddy’s in Wellsville, has purchased Stillwater Pizza and Grill on 45 North Main Street and plans to have it open by the winter.
The name will stay the same on the building, which was formerly a Pizza Hut, and the menu and atmosphere will remain unique.
“What appealed to myself and our staff is the fun atmosphere, the outdoor seating and the ability to venture out and try some new things,” Vogel said. “We’ve enjoyed having an artist come play music during the Balloon Rally at the ice cream shop, and we believe we have room outside for a musician or a duet.”
Vogel said the restaurant has traditional seating, “But it’s a unique layout with a great sports bar atmosphere.”
The plan is to be up and running this winter, he said, with the same Stillwater name and many of the same items on the menu.
“When I first looked at their menu, I thought they had a wide-variety of unique options. We would like to keep some of those,” Vogel said.
While decisions on the menu have not been finalized, Vogel did hint at some of the selections.
“We’d like to have artisan pizzas, caprese, margarita, garlic dill pickle pizza, hot honey — there are so many combinations you can have fun with,” he said. “We will also have craft burgers, with basic to unique burger offerings.”
And then there is the bar and multiple televisions.
“We’d like to give Wellsville a sports bar, a place where people can go and have a drink with their dinner and enjoy sporting events,” Vogel added.
Wellsville’s Main Street — and beyond in the town — has become a spot to dine. Vogel said Stillwater enhances the dining experience.
“I always thought the Stillwater was an asset to Main Street and we hope to keep growing this end of Main Street,” Vogel said. “Our unique offerings make this a compliment to the restaurant industry in Wellsville. The goal is to offer things that are a little different than things we have now.”
The Stilwater will add 12 new jobs to the community. Positions will include cooks, wait staff and bartenders.
You can apply for a job at pizzakingwellsville.com or stop in the restaurant for an application. Pizza King is at 35 North Main Street. Stillwater is next door at 45 North Main Street. The two businesses are separated by Gabby Hayes Lane and Sugar Daddy’s is directly across the street.
Sugar Daddy’s is open May to September. In addition to a huge selection of soft serve and hard ice cream, milkshake, sundae and flurry’s, Sugar Daddy’s menu has traditional burgers. chicken sandwiches, philly cheesesteaks.
Then there is Pizza King, a Wellsville staple for 52 years.
“Nothing is changing with Pizza King. We are still going to provide our regular offerings.
Vogel has 27 years of experience in the pizza, restaurant and hospitality industry. He also owns Steam Valley Sports in Wellsville, located at the former Dresser-Rand. The indoor sports facility has become the place to train for local baseball and softball teams, from Little League to college players and even adult slow-pitch teams. The facility features HitTrax, which measures pitchers and hitters. Players can hit and a video screen shows them hitting in Major League Baseball parks or famous college stadiums.
