A Pizza Nostalgia, Here to Stay

After 32 years, owner and founder of Pizza Cafe James Holton is retiring. Restaurant goers can find pizza mind knowing that two locals are taking it over. Stephen and Kristy Fore also own Dugan’s Pub and Taglios. The couple regularly orders from Pizza Cafe and rave over the wings so when they heard James was retiring they knew they had to seize the opportunity.  

“Our favorite thing to do is take things that have been staples in the community and not let anyone else come in and change them,” says Stephen, noting Dugan’s Pub as an example. “We’re just carrying on another legacy,” says Stephen whose goal is to keep everything the same. 

James has hosted many little league teams, clubs, first-dates, families and more over the years in his restaurant. A handful employees that have been with Pizza Cafe for two decades. The cafe also still has a delivery driver, adding to its old school charm. When people ask James how to describe his style of pizza (New York, Deep Dish, etc.) his answer is, “This is Moore County pizza.”

Stephen and Kristy are eager to learn the ins and outs of the new restaurant. They say balancing all of their businesses takes hard work but they know they have great employees, which is half the battle. The Fores take over June 29 but James is staying in the area so you’re likely to still see him out and about. Pizza Cafe hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Find it at 111 Olmsted Blvd G, Pinehurst.