Cockadoodle Pizza
Café Expands
By Mary Anderson

The pizza business is nothing new for Jim Fisher of Bethel’s Cockadoodle Pizza Café. He started working in one when he was 14 or 15 years old. Apparently he has learned a lot in those years, because he has made the restaurant into such a successful pizza establishment that he has been able to expand within just one year of taking ownership.

Fisher was involved with Cockadoodle when it began a few years ago. However, he did not become full owner of the Main Street business until May of 2007. This April, he completed renovations that doubled his seating capacity, bringing it to 35. He also enlarged the kitchen. As a result, Fisher now has room for birthday parties and special events.

Cockadoodle’s menu offers a selection of sandwiches and salads, and it has just received a liquor license, so beer and wine will be available.

Fisher provides pizza by the slice and offers a high speed wifi connection for patrons. He says the wifi has helped bring in business, but credits the real success to "the great support" of the people of Bethel.

"Town support is a huge thing," Fisher says. "This town has been incredible. We wouldn’t have made it without that. People like having a hands-on owner. They can come in and complain to me or tell me positive things."

Fisher says when he bought the business he asked the community what they wanted and tried to give it to them. He continually asks his customers for feedback and tries to improve on things. He has books and games for people to enjoy while waiting for their food, and he has a kid-friendly room with a chalk board desk and comfy chairs overlooking the river.

On a recent Saturday, the café was bustling with activity. Five teens ranging in age from 16-18 were visiting from Andover, Mass. They enjoyed playing the board game "Sorry" while they waited for their pizzas to be served. One of them, Arielle Evans, whose family has a house on Rte. 107, says they come to Cockadoodle often because it is a great place.

Casey Grimes of Braintree says Cockadoodle "has great food and great atmosphere." He eats lunch daily at the restaurant.

Kyle Paquin from Bethel concurs, saying he "comes in all the time."

Fisher’s wife, Nell, helps run the business when she is not tied up with other work. She recently graduated from VTC with a degree as a vet technician and works at Country Animal Hospital. Jim grew up in Oregon and the couple lived out there. Nell was born on the east coast, and after 10 years, decided it was her turn to live out east for a while. Vermont reminded them of Oregon and they have been happy with their choice to live here. They currently live in Randolph and are looking to buy a house in Bethel.

Nell says that she and Jim "have always worked well together," and adds, "especially now that the kitchen is expanded!"

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