05/14/2026
*****Update Number 1 ********* of about 3-4
I wanted to take a few minutes to sit down and truly provide the best update I can on this wonderful journey of World Famous Gorilla Bob.
First and foremost, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you to everyone who has continued to pray for me and my family, send kind words, positive thoughts, and unwavering support. There really are no words that can fully express how grateful we are for all of you.
Some of you have been with us since the very beginning — even before the beginning of that little purple shack. And from day one, you all knew how to show up and show out. We will forever be grateful for that love and support.
As time went on, more and more people heard about that little shack, and every day we were asked when we were going to move into a bigger building — somewhere with indoor seating, more storage, and more room to grow.
While the new building brought many positives — community fundraisers, events, opportunities to pay it forward, and a place to spread love throughout the community — it also brought challenges. It became difficult to stay small, family-owned, and family-operated when the larger building gave the illusion that the entire structure of the business had changed.
Through the years of both the shack and the restaurant, life happened — just like it does for everyone. We experienced major changes in both business and personal life. We suffered the loss of our son, along with other family members and friends. Health issues, both physical and mental, arose for myself and others in our immediate family, and those things required most of our attention.
Then in July of 2025, everything changed when I suffered a heart attack. The doctor told me very plainly: “Find a different career and live longer, or continue doing what you’re doing and your time is limited.” At that point, the decision wasn’t even a question. No matter how much I felt I had lost, I was still alive, and that mattered most for myself and my family.
As I continued through physical healing, not having the shack and restaurant weighed heavily on me. It triggered anxiety and deep depression. Along this journey, there have been incredible people who helped support me and helped keep things moving. Feeling like I had let those people down was something that sat heavy on my heart.
While battling through depression, life hit again, and in February we lost my mom to cancer. I can honestly say I had never experienced a low like that before. I questioned everything. Why keep going? Why keep trying? I felt sorry for myself and constantly wondered, “When is it my turn?”
Then I started thinking back to conversations I’ve had with people I truly respect.
Larry Davis from Derby City Pizza once told me that what he admired most about me was that I never quit. No matter what knocked me down, I always got back up.
I recently saw George Timmering from Bearno’s Pizza, and as always, he was full of encouragement, kindness, and advice. He reminded me again of something I had forgotten about myself — persistence.
That got me thinking: if these people still believe in me, why don’t I believe in myself?
And then it finally clicked.
The one thing all of these people have in common is that they keep going. They continue pushing forward even when life pushes back. For so long I sat wondering when it would be my turn, and I finally realized the only way it becomes my turn is if I make it my turn.
If something stands in the way, we find another path.
�If something collapses, we rebuild it stronger.
And while I know success takes hard work and dedication, I also realized something was missing before. I think I’ve finally found it.
Philly — Brian Gaughan from Spinelli’s — has probably been one of my biggest influences in the restaurant world. Staying true to who you are, putting yourself into your brand, minding your business, taking care of your own, and continuing to move forward no matter what. To me, he represents the idea that you only get one life, so make it your best.
So to everyone who has already offered support and continued believing in us — I’m not finished yet. This has been a bump in the road, but only a bump in the road.
To the people who may not even realize how much your conversations, support, and presence have meant to me — thank you. Truly. You are part of the reason I’m able to stand back up one more time.
And to our amazing supporters, followers, customers, and this entire community: we are working toward coming back. There are many goals ahead over the next year, and while things may look a little different moving forward, we truly believe it will be for the best.
Thank you all again for the love, patience, and support. We’ll continue to keep everyone updated soon.
Oh… and PS — super proud of Big Nita’s. You did that! It’s always amazing watching our own local people succeed and win big.
