07/31/2026
Today, with a heavy heart, I want to share that we have made the difficult decision to close the doors of 1872 Italian Eatery.
This decision comes after many months of prayer, reflection, and honest conversations. My health has reminded me that it’s time to slow down, and new business opportunities require my full attention.
Opening 1872 was never just about serving pizza. It was about bringing something special to our hometown—a destination where families, friends, and travelers could gather around food made from scratch with care and pride. We poured our hearts, countless hours, and every resource we had into creating an experience we hoped our community would embrace.
Owning a small business in a rural community isn’t easy. It takes more than passion and hard work—it takes consistent support. While we were incredibly blessed by many loyal customers, travelers, and visitors from across Kansas and beyond, the reality is that building a sustainable restaurant requires enough ongoing local support to make it possible.
To those who chose us, recommended us, celebrated milestones with us, attended our events, and simply walked through our doors—thank you. You became part of our story, and we are deeply grateful. You reminded us why we started this journey.
I’m incredibly proud of what we built together. We introduced handcrafted, made-from-scratch food to Stockton, created new partnerships, supported local events, and showed that a small-town restaurant could dream big.
Although the restaurant is closing, the vision isn’t over. I believe the recipes, the brand, and the passion behind 1872 still have a future. Sometimes closing one chapter creates the opportunity for something even greater.
Thank you for every meal shared, every conversation, every smile, and every word of encouragement. We leave with gratitude, wonderful memories, and hope for what lies ahead.
With sincere appreciation,
Ken Walker
1872 Italian Eatery
