Pie in The Sky Pizza finds a new ‘dream spot’ in downtown Mooresville
Pie in the Sky Pizza is coming back to downtown Mooresville with plans for a bigger dining area, double the pizza ovens and expanded bar options.
The beloved pizzeria’s owners signed a lease this week to take over the former Kim’s Cleaners site at 250 S. Main St., less than two blocks away from their original location. They’ll spend the next few months upfitting the building, with plans to open in January.
“It’s our dream spot,” said Daniel Whitener, who is teaming up with his sister, Ashley Eggert, to take over management duties from their father, Tim Whitener. “We love the retro look of the building and the funky, wavy awning on the roof. It’s awesome architecture. And we can keep that nostalgic feeling going on the inside, too.”
[RELATED: National publication names this Charlotte-area pizzeria as tops in North Carolina]
The restaurant has been a staple in Mooresville since 1986, when Tim started the family business after honing his pizza skills in Hilton Head. After 36 years in the same spot, Pie in The Sky had to close its original Main Street location in May due to building renovations. The landlords were looking for a more upscale tenant, Daniel said, but that didn’t fit with Pie’s vision and atmosphere.
“We want to stay true to our roots of being a casual environment, where you can grab a pie to go or come in for a night with friends,” Daniel said. “When my Dad opened Pie in The Sky, he wanted it to be a place where if you come in the doors, you’d run into people you know.”
Those people you know may include NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who backed the restaurant on Twitter in March, saying: “This business has been a fixture in Mooresville for decades. ... I hoping they land on their feet so someday I can show my daughters to the best pizza in town.”
The new site will have approximately 1,000 square feet more space than the original location, in addition to a larger patio and bigger bar. It will have room for two double deck pizza ovens, which will help the staff serve pizza quicker for dine-in customers.
“We couldn’t make pizzas fast enough before with just one oven,” Daniel said, describing the homemade wood-fired pizza as New York style but with a Carolinas twist. “The new space will allow us to make more pizza a lot more efficiently.”
The Pie team also plans to double the amount of beer on tap and add a selection of wine.
While they were searching for a new home, Pie in The Sky owners took an innovative approach to continue serving their homemade pies to customers in Mooresville. They took a mobile oven around to pop up events and gatherings throughout the community. They also used social media to stay connected and let customers know where to find them.
Less than two hours after the restaurant on Thursday announced on Facebook plans for a new location, the post had been liked by more than 900 people and shared more than 350 times. Lake Norman Media Group reported on the news earlier on Thursday as well.
“That’s the motivation that keeps us going,” Daniel said. “The people are the reason we haven’t thrown in the towel. We fought hand over fist to find just the right place and get back into town. These customers are our friends, and we love them. We are eternally grateful for their support, patience and understanding while we searched for a new home. We wouldn’t be here without them.”
Pie in the Sky Pizza
Location: 250 S Main St., Mooresville, NC 28115
Neighborhood: Mooresville
Cuisine: Italian
Instagram: @pieintheskyp
This story was originally published July 28, 2022 at 1:36 PM.
