The Collinsville native had recently returned to the area after 4 years in Nashville, Tenn., when his father brought the opportunity to purchase Pizzeoli to his attention. In a matter of days, they were meeting with Sandler.

“I love people, and I love food,” Weber tells Off the Menu. “Putting those two together is like heaven.”

Sandler has passed along Pizzeoli's recipes to Weber.

“Right now we're keeping everything the same,” Weber says. “We're excited Scott has built an incredible business and will continue to cater to the people he has been catering to.”

However, Weber intends to expand Pizzeoli's offerings to broaden its appeal to its immediate neighborhood. (Sandler himself says that while Pizzeoli built a customer base, “I didn't really reach a lot of the people in Soulard.”)

Weber plans to introduce appetizers, more salad options and, most significantly, meat. A self-described “foodie,” Weber wants to seek out vendors who can provide organic, antibiotic-free, local ingredients.

“That's how I eat,” he says.

Weber also intends to expand Pizzeoli's selection of craft beer and wine and to introduce craft cocktails.