Little Rock pizza company now a brick and mortar

Little Rock, Arkansas – The first and only Black-owned pizza company in Little Rock, Certified Pies, has recently launched a location.

“I’m not a professional chef this is just a dream for me. I just like making pizza and look at what it turned into,” said Harlem Wilson, co-owner of Certified Pies.

During the pandemic, Certified Pies began accepting orders for their renowned pizza and wings.

“The goal was to do a meal prep company, but when I tasted this pizza I knew instantly I had to make a change,” said co-owner Kreg Stewart.

In the beginning, social media was a big part of the business.

“We started off in an apartment selling pizzas whoever wants to come by and get them,” said Wilson.

Stewart said there was “no seating, no dining” and “it was really more of a hustle for us to get our name out there.”

After the meal gained popularity, the firm moved into a brick-and-mortar location in a shopping mall located at 9807 W Markham Street, roughly three years later.

“We’ve been waiting, everybody else has been waiting, and just the anticipation has built up,” said co-owner Samantha Stewart.

Co-owners Samantha, Kreg, and Harlem express their excitement at having a place where customers may finally sit down.

“Everything we’ve been wanting to share with people we get to let them have full force you know,” said Wilson.

The three expressed their gratitude for being able to offer such a place in their hometown and their intention to leave a lasting legacy.

“We do want this to be a lasting space, where we can say that we’re, you know, the family-owned pizza company 50 years down the road,” said Samantha Stewart.

When they enter, they also want to serve as an inspiration for future generations.

“Representation matters,” said Samantha. “Young business owners, you know, that have these ideas and look what we’ve done in a few short years, imagine what your brain can take you in your business can go if you really just stay focused on it.”

Above all, their greatest wish is for everyone to feel like family when they leave.

“Because that’s where we provide good food, great vibes and we want you to feel like you’re at home when you come and certified pies,” said Stewart.