Please, Help Us Save A Local Small Business ❤️
Home to the Most Delicious Gourmet Pies Around!
Today, we are asking for your help with saving a community favorite. Every donation— share—no matter how small— will make a difference.
Big Guy & The Pie is more than just a baking company—it’s a true labor of love that has proudly served Monroe, NC and surrounding communities including Unionville, Indian Trail, Waxhaw, Weddington, Matthews, and Charlotte for a while now. Built on warmth, faith, and unforgettably delicious gourmet pies, this small business has become a comfort to many—a fixture at many dining room tables and recliners too.
The owner, D. Gladden Sr., affectionately known as “Big Guy,” is a devoted father of four—two daughters and two rough sons. He began baking years ago as a hobby—delighting family and friends. Once the community got a taste of his pies, everything immediately changed. Demand exploded almost overnight. Big Guy & The Pie secured multiple retail partners, had others on hold, and was forced to turn some opportunities away. Direct-to-customer sales were thriving, and the future looked just as promising as the pies were delicious.
But just as the business took off, life took some unexpected turns and painful twists.
Big Guy was forced to leave his day job to pursue disability due to chronic pain, severe hypertension, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). His small business was enough to take care of things around the house but soon, a missed day here and there began to mount. Challenges began to arise, stack quickly, and relentlessly.
He suffered the loss of two vehicles back-to-back—one destroyed by fire and another totaled after a collision with a deer. Determined not to let his customers or community down, Big Guy has been renting cars for over five months, spending up to $1,500 per month just to keep pies flowing. With no recent pay stubs or perfectly kept books after leaving his job, securing a car loan has been nearly impossible.
On top of that, Big Guy has been losing four to five hours of baking time every day due to transporting his son to and from school between Charlotte and Monroe—time that would otherwise be spent producing pies and generating income.
Without the proper support system or any experienced help in the kitchen, the weight of these challenges became overwhelming and too deep of a hole to climb out of. He now stands on the brink of losing not only his business—but also his home.
The Big Guy continues to do all that he can to show up for his customers and community whenever he can.
He has also been blessed by individuals who stepped in to help when they didn’t have to. A portion of the funds raised will be used to pay them back as an act of gratitude, honoring those who allowed God to use them to bless someone else.
How the Funds Will Be Used:
•Stabilizing operations to prevent the loss of the bakery and home.
•Purchasing ingredients and supplies to fully restock the pantry.
•Catching up on overdue bills.
•Covering the facility/kitchen lease.
•Towards purchasing a reliable cash car for transportation. (If you have one available, please contact Mr. Gladden at 803-833-3428)
If Big Guy & The Pie has ever brought you comfort, joy, or a smile…
If you believe in supporting small businesses, fathers, and faith-driven perseverance…
Please consider donating or sharing this appeal.
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
— Proverbs 22:9
Every prayer. Every share. Every dollar matters.
Thank you for standing with Big Guy & The Pie.
Thank you. ❤️