Woodbelly Pizza: A Fresh Slice of Community, Flavor, and Fun
Celebrating their grand reopening May 8–11 on Barre Street
If you’ve walked down Barre Street recently, you may have caught the scent of wood smoke and sourdough in the air, that’s because Woodbelly Pizza is back and better than ever. A long-standing favorite for wood-fired pizza in central Vermont, Woodbelly is celebrating its grand reopening with a four-day celebration from May 8–11, culminating in a community party on Saturday, May 10 from 4–9pm featuring live music, games, and of course, great pizza.
From Farm Roots to Brick Oven Pies
Woodbelly’s story started back in 2008 on a small CSA farm in Cabot. Two friends, one of them a mason, built a mobile wood-fired oven to bring fresh, hand-crafted pizzas to farmers markets and local events. Their first batches of sourdough crust were mixed on a friend’s porch in Montpelier and baked fresh each market morning.
The name Woodbelly nods to that original oven, a “belly” fueled by wood, radiating warmth and flavor. The business has grown a lot since then, but the heart remains the same: build community through simple, delicious food shared with others.
Today, Woodbelly is proudly organized as a worker-owned cooperative, with longtime employees taking over ownership and operations. That cooperative spirit is baked into everything they do.
What’s New? A Reimagined Gathering Space
The recent renovations have brought new energy into the space:
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An expanded game room now features pinball machines, a pool table, and plenty of room for friends and families to hang out.
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More outdoor seating means even more ways to enjoy those summer evenings with pizza and a local brew in hand.
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A party and meeting space is now available for community use, perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or team meetups.
And while the signature wood-fired sourdough pizzas remain the star of the show, the team is looking ahead to further menu expansions, more table service, and an upgraded bar experience.
A Business Rooted in Community
For Woodbelly’s team, being in Montpelier is about more than just pizza. “We’re here to serve everyone in the community,” they shared. “That includes our neighbors who are often underserved, especially BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community members. This is a space for all.”
That message of inclusion and resilience rings especially true as they’ve weathered major challenges, including two historic floods and ongoing construction on State Street. And yet, they remain focused on growth, gathering, and gratitude.
Grand Reopening Schedule
Where: 79 Barre Street, Montpelier
When: May 8–11 (Main event May 10, 4–9 PM)
Live Music: Saturday, May 10, from 5–7 PM
Pizza, games, fun, and community all weekend long!
Whether you’ve been a Woodbelly regular for years or have yet to try their hand-stretched sourdough pies, the grand reopening is the perfect chance to connect, celebrate, and support a local business that’s as resilient as it is delicious.
State Street may be under construction but your local favorites are still here and thriving. Let’s show up, fill our bellies, and keep Montpelier’s small business spirit alive and well.