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Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy brought an early Christmas present to a veteran-owned pizzeria that was looking at closing its doors forever.

The struggling Baltimore eatery, Tiny Brick Oven, was on the brink of closing after financial strains and efforts to get approved for a liquor license took their toll. Owner Will Fagg explained to Portnoy that Christmas Day would be the closing day for the establishment which boasts a “pay-it-forward” program for the needy and has hosted various community events and fundraisers over the years.

“We’re getting ready to close, man. We can’t get our liquor license here. It’s been like crazy… we’re just not making any money, man. The thing is, our politicians gave this market down here their liquor license, but they won’t give us ours,” the owner told Portnoy, who does “One Bite” pizza reviews and was on a pizza tour through Maryland.

(Image: Tinybrickoven)

“Tinybrickoven has always been a family-run restaurant, owned by the community because you are our family. Since we opened, we’ve shared so much together—feeding the homeless, supporting veterans, raising funds for Thomas Johnson, cheering for the Orioles and Ravens, and even trying out for Shark Tank,” the shop’s website told customers as the closing was announced.

“But now, that home is in danger of disappearing. This isn’t by choice; it’s because Senator Bill Ferguson and Delegate Luke Clippinger refuse to approve our liquor license—while businesses just a few blocks away are granted theirs. Though we’ve done everything we can, their refusal may mean the end for us, despite the law allowing them the power to help,” the message continued.

“Please, reach out to Senator Bill Ferguson and Delegate Luke Clippinger to show your support for keeping our family-run, community-owned restaurant alive,” the pizzeria urged customers.

But Portnoy soon stepped in and a Christmas miracle unfolded.

He gave the pizza a 7.9 out of 10 rating, saying it was a “very good, thin, New York-kinda style” pizza. Commenting that “there’s no way this place should be going out of business, none,” Portnoy then pledged to give the shop $60,000 to help it stay open and finally get its liquor license.

The stunned owner expressed his gratitude and so did many on social media.

Frieda Powers
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