Jessica and Jeff Schell opened Via's Pizzeria in February 2008 with the idea of giving Topeka a gourmet-style pizza that the city had never seen before. Via's was an original idea spurned by pizzerias all over the country. Jessica worked through many recipes and blends of ingredients before finding the perfect mix of herbs and spices that make up the signature dough and sauce at Via's. The mix of spices in the sauce is a secret that only Jessica knows.

Jessica left her job of nearly 12 years at Capitol Federal to begin the tumultuous journey towards the perfect pizzeria. She was a computer programmer with Cap Fed and though that gave her no pizza or restaurant experience, she learned what customer service was all about!

Jeff has been in the restaurant business since he was a teenager and is best known as the General Manager of the Northstar Steakhouse in North Topeka. He ran the Northstar for 5 years and became a favorite of most customers there.

The Schells opened Via's with the idea that Topeka needed a real pizza, the way pizza was meant to be. Each pie is made with the freshest ingredients. Local produce and Kansas brews show Via's commitment to supporting local business. This family-operated restaurant makes the dough and sauce from scratch everyday and uses fresh vegetables and freshly shredded cheese on every pizza.

A few months after opening, Jessica created the Proffondo Chicago which is the first pizza of its kind in Northeast Kansas. This deep dish pie is something you must try and won't soon forget.

Jessica's family, the Weicherts, have been a huge part of Via's from the original construction to the everyday tasks. There is no time that Via's Pizzeria is open that you won't find a Schell or a Weichert in the building working to make Via's the best it can possibly be.

Within months of opening the restaurant, Jessica and Jeff saw the first sign that Topeka appreciated their hard work when Via's was voted in the top 5 in the Best of Topeka after only being open 2 months. The word was out and the news was spreading like fire, Via's is Topeka's only high quality, gourmet-style pizza and its popularity is rising every day.