On Light Street in Baltimore, a small pizzeria facing closure by Christmas has experienced a remarkable thing—a true Christmas miracle. Little Brick Oven Pizzeria was on the brink of shutting down, with a note attached to each pizza box indicating that without significant business or donations, it would close its doors on December 25th, 2024.
The situation changed dramatically, many thanks to Dave Portnoy from Barstool Sports, who conducted one of his well-known One Bite pizza reviews. He rated the pizzeria a “solid 7.9,” describing its offerings as a thin New York-style pizza. This review brought attention to Little Brick Oven but resulting in an overwhelming influx of customers, leading to long lines and busy phone lines.
Owner Will Fagg, who has been likened to a “guardian angel” by one of his part-time employees, was a longtime admirer of Portnoy’s efforts to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. When Portnoy inquired about the pizzeria’s challenges, he was surprised to learn about the dire financial situation and the costly liquor license that was essential for survival—something that a new market across the street had already secured and put to good use.
During his visit, Portnoy insisted on paying for his pizza after hearing about Fagg’s struggles, jokingly stating, “you can’t tell me you’ve got no money and then not ask me to pay for it.” He then asked how much money Fagg would need to keep the business afloat for a year. When Fagg mentioned $60,000 for operational costs and the liquor license, Portnoy simply replied, “Done.”
The review quickly went viral, amassing over 14 million views on social media. By Christmas Eve, Little Brick Oven was bustling with customers eager to support the establishment. Fagg expressed his gratitude, stating, “We’ve never had a line like this,” as he prepared pizzas in his red chef’s coat and hat.
As Christmas Day approached, donations began pouring in. Fagg reflected on the overwhelming support he received, saying, “It’s an incredible feeling… I really thank everybody so much.”