Owners Jason and Shannon Pryor met in 1999 while working for Amazon.com; Shannon in Seattle and Jason in Atlanta. When it was obvious this was to be a long-term relationship Shannon relocated to Atlanta to be closer to Jason. Shortly thereafter the couple moved back to Shannon's hometown of Kansas City and settled in Brookside where Jason went to work for Costco.

Jason noticed the old gas station up for sale on the corner of 51st and Oak. He was convinced it was a perfect location for pizza and beer serving the UMKC and Rockhurst communities.

The development of Pizza 51 began in October of 2002, almost 2 years before the restaurant finally opened. Major hurdles included obtaining a liquor license, completing environmental testing to verify the safety of serving food from an old gas station and securing a loan. As Jason worked to get all the required pieces in order, the couple became pregnant and were due with their first child, Rachel Diane, in February of 2004. Joshua Kester joined the family in April of 2006.

As Shannon's maiden name would suggest, Murphy's Law set in and roughed up the road to a completed Pizza 51 but undaunted by challenge, the couple forged ahead. In March of 2004 they closed on the building and along with their contractor, G3 Collaborative, began the renovation work.

Pizza 51 opened its doors to a hungry public on September 15, 2004. Since then Pizza 51 has become an integral part of the Brookside and South Plaza neighborhoods. What was conceived as a college hangout, has been welcomed as a great place to eat by neighbors of all ages.

Jason and Shannon Pryor are active members of the Missouri Restaurant Association with Jason sitting on the board of directors, as well as participants of the Southtown Council, and South Plaza Neighborhood Association.