10/28/2025
After much reflection, we have made the difficult decision to step away from Fort Smith and cease our operations in the community after November 15th, 2025. While we have poured our hearts into building Vinnie’s Pies from the ground up, recent circumstances have compelled us to prioritize our well-being, our marriage, and our health.
Our journey began with a shared vision: to create a welcoming, joyful environment through our homemade pies and community engagement. We arrived in Fort Smith not yet married with nothing apart from a suitcase and a dream to build our lives together as a couple with determination and a desire to contribute positively here. Over the years, we dedicated ourselves tirelessly—long hours, sacrifices, and countless risks—to establish our brand and serve our community.
Closing this year in Akansas really wasn’t the plan. However, the challenges we encountered became overwhelming. From misleading contracts, operational setbacks to unfounded accusations, persistent hostility, and even threats - it has taken an immense toll on us physically, emotionally, and financially. Our efforts to integrate and succeed have been met with resistance, and despite our best intentions, we found ourselves battling circumstances beyond our control.
We are proud of the progress we made and the happiness we brought to many through our food and community initiatives. Bittersweet memories for sure. Winning multiple awards scaling to a 100 cover restaurant from a team of three, whilst being agile enough to keep it open and maintain a good reputation. Nonetheless, the relentless pressure, health issues, and a deteriorating personal life have made it untenable to continue.
Despite the hardships, our commitment to honesty and transparency remains the same, and we will make a personal statement alongside this. We are grateful for the support of those who believed in us and recognized our genuine efforts to contribute positively to Fort Smith. Unfortunately, the external hostility and false narratives propagated by some have overshadowed our intentions and achievements. Especially with a dwindling personal support system on ground. We don’t expect people to fully understand our journey but it has been enlightening to see how quickly people are to judge, often those not in a position to.
So as we close this chapter, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to those who supported us along the way. To our loyal customers we couldn’t have done it without you. To the young entrepreneurs and future business owners in Fort Smith, we encourage you to persevere, but also to prioritize your health, integrity, and well-being.
Understand this decision was not made lightly, but it is necessary for our health and future. We leave with no regrets — just growth. Vinnie and I are grateful for each other's strength, and though this journey has been challenging, we remain committed to rebuilding in our own way.
We will continue daily operations during the evenings Weds-Fri and all day Saturday and all booked catering for this year and 2026 will be carried out. We are unsure at this moment if we can take any more after this date in this location.
Thank you, Fort Smith, for the memories and lessons learned. We wish the city all the best in its future endeavors.
Vinnie & Ursula
Founders of Vinnie’s Pies
