Black-owned pie shop celebrates 40 years in business
Wilkerson started his company during the 1980s after former President Ronald Reagan said at the time that it was 'the year of the entrepreneur.'
Taking it to heart, Wilkerson began making pies and hasn't stopped since.
Ahead of next month's Academy Awards, the 'Little Pie Company' has made Oscar sandwich cookies, as well as Oscar red velvet whoopies.
Arkansas Gov. signs free school breakfast bill into law
Many of the pies use recipes from Wilkerson's mother and grandmother. Staples include apple pie, pecan pie, mud Mississippi pie and the signature sour cream apple and walnut pie.
It has an all-butter crust with thin slices of granny smith apples, brown sugar, walnuts and cinnamon.
'We've enjoyed very much the support that we get from the Black community, and that we get from the community in general,' Wilkerson told 'NewsNation Live' on Saturday.
'I live in a theater neighborhood over on 43rd Street, and so it's a very mixed neighborhood, and we have many customers from every race.'
Average price for dozen eggs cracks $8
The prices of eggs are affecting 'Little Pie Company,' but Wilkerson is not willing to increase his prices and let it hurt the pockets of his customers.
'We can't do that right now because everyone's suffering, so we have to just take that loss as much as we can,' he said.
'If you begin with excellence, stick with excellence, and that's the thing to do,' Wilkerson advised hopeful entrepreneurs. 'Don't make any compromises on your product. Earn your reputation, keep your reputation.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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