Dale Jr. laments closing of pizzeria near NC home, calling it the ‘best pizza in town’
After 36 years, a Charlotte region pizzeria is closing shop with hopes of finding a new spot. And a NASCAR star is giving it a plug.
Pie In The Sky Pizza in Mooresville will close May 22, the company said last week on Facebook. The pizza shop has been serving homemade pizzas since 1986 at 125-2 N. Main St.
“I’ve been in touch with ownership and they definitely plan to find a new location to continue their business. And currently, business is great. I’ll be sure to share where the new location is. If you are visiting the area, be sure to stop and say hello,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. tweeted last Friday to his 2.5 million followers.
Earnhardt is from Kannapolis and lives in Mooresville, which is about 30 miles north of Charlotte. JR Motorsports in Mooresville is the professional race team that Earnhardt owns along with his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Rick Hendrick.
The building housing the pizza place is being renovated to be more upscale, according to Pie In The Sky Pizza’s Facebook post, “and our business doesn’t fit there anymore.
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever written. I’ve spent my entire 23 years of life at this restaurant. I’ve watched my dad pour 36 years of his life into it. You guys make it all worth it.
“We really hoped to have a location locked in before we were given notice to vacate our space, but we have had very little luck.
“We love you, we appreciate you, and we are gonna do our best to find a place to make you pizza.”
About Pie In The Sky Pizza
Tim Whitener opened the restaurant in 1986, joined over a decade later by his bride Tammy, and eventually their sons and daughter in the family business, according to Pie In The Sky Pizza’s website.
Kim Atkins, executive director of Mooresville Downtown Commission, told the Observer on Tuesday the nonprofit has been working with Pie In The Sky owners for a couple of months looking at other possible locations downtown. So far, none have been a right fit, she said.
Atkins said the pizzeria’s landlord is renovating the second floor of the building for offices with plans to renovate the pizzeria space afterward. Records show the landlord is Side Mack & Sons LLC, which Atkins said is a local family-owned business, too.
“We don’t want to lose them,” Atkins said of Pie In The Sky. “It’s been heartbreaking to our community and to the family as well.”
Efforts to reach Side Mack & Sons and Pie In the Sky were unsuccessful Tuesday.
Upset pizza customers flock to social media
Hundreds of comments flooded the announcement, with people posting photos of sports parties, birthday celebrations and children’s visits with Santa.
“It’s heartbreaking to see an icon in downtown Mooresville being pushed out. Best pizza in town and a great family... I pray you find a new location soon,” Erica Ransom said.
“That is about the saddest thing I have heard in along time... Such great memories we have made there and the friendship that has been forged by your family and us regular folks will live on and we will follow you wherever you go. Some so-called progress is not for the best. God Bless!!” Cotton Ketchie said.
Others also shared the deep connection the pizzeria shared with its customers.
“My sons grew up on your Pie. During their Dad’s deployments, I could count on you guys for a fun night. Thank you for that! Please come to Troutman!,” Judy Holland Ratchford said.
“You are so loved by so many, Pie in the Sky!! Why do all the hometown favorites have to close?” Chanda Leagon McCoy said.
Several people tagged Earnhardt Jr. to help save the business.
On Twitter, Earnhardt said: “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.”
This story was originally published March 30, 2022 at 6:00 AM.