It’s been home to celebrations and memory-making moments and now a College Area hangout is hosting a party upon reaching a big milestone.
Woodstock’s, a pizzeria near San Diego State University, is celebrating its 40th anniversary Thursday.
“We’re really proud to be open for 40 years here,” said general manager Lily Castro.
Although some people believe the restaurant was named after the famous 1960’s music festival, it was titled after its founder, Chuck Woodstock. He opened the first Woodstock’s in 1977 near Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon.
He wanted to create a fun, student-oriented pizzeria focusing on fresh, hand-tossed dough. It became a success and led to a second restaurant in San Luis Obispo. Today, there are six Woodstock’s, including the one in San Diego, which opened in 1985 in an old laundromat at 6145 El Cajon Blvd.
Thursday’s celebration recognizes the San Diego anniversary. The event runs from 5 to 10 p.m. and will include a DJ, a ribbon cutting, speeches and discount promotions on pizza and pints of beer.
“We’re really excited about it,” said Castro.
The store’s longevity, she said, can be tied to its food and the experience it provides, but also its relationships with its customers. Many of them fondly recall eating at Woodstock’s when they were attending SDSU.
She recalled talking to one man who hadn’t been to Woodstock’s since he went to college 20 years ago and had moved back into the area.
“He was like, I’ve already been here three times since moving back,” said Castro. “It’s like, you guys are my favorite pizza spot. So, that was really cool. We have a lot of history here.”
Those college ties are part of the sauce at Woodstock’s.
Local students make up much of the workforce. The restaurant also works closely with the school’s athletic programs on events. And it becomes a raucous gathering place when the Aztecs play a big game.
“Oh my gosh, high energy, very lively,” said Castro, of game nights. “It’s really exciting.”
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