Family, and Pizza Faith, When he was first released, Stone wasn’t capable of doing many things. He was having to relearn and regain the strength to do things that used to be normal, daily activities. During his accident, he had to receive a new ankle, a new knee, a new hip, and a new femur. The accident broke all his ribs, his sternum, and now Stone walks around his mother decided it would be a pizza restaurant. “It was the best decision I ever made,” said Stone. And it’s not because of the income. Stone actually doesn’t take any from it. He uses it as an excuse to get up and keep healing every day. “If I sit down, I’m going to stay down,” said Stone. “I have to keep moving around doing whatever I’m doing to keep myself motivated. You know, my quality of life has become not very good, but I’m still trying to move forward with everything that we got going on.” Throughout the continued healing process, Stone continuously reminds the community that The Pizza Cabin is a team collaboration. Just as healing has been, the growth of his restaurant is fueled by those who stand loyal to him. “It just shows who’s gonna be there. I every day with an acute hernia on his side. However, Stone didn’t do any of this alone. He gives credit to his family. Especially his mother – who didn’t leave his side during the entire healing process. “They gave so much to me and I wanted to find a way to give back. My family was there when I needed them the most,” said Stone. “I ended up getting some money out of the settlement, and instead of taking that money selfishly – I wanted to invest it right back into my family.” Stone bought the buildings that make up The Pizza Cabin now, yet ran into a few conflicts about what to make of it. Soon enough with the discovery of a kitchen vent, Stone, his brother, and have a few friends, that no matter what, when I needed them, they were there,” said Stone. “I’ve got one guy that’s been with me from day one and is still there. You know, he could go and get another job somewhere else making $15 to $20 an hour, but he’s going to school to become a schoolteacher. I’ve known this kid since he was in diapers, and he’s stuck by us. He’s helped make the restaurant a little better. Every day.” Stone wants the family atmosphere to stay throughout the restaurant, not just on the staff level. “I want you to come in and I want you to have a pizza if you choose to. But at the same time, I’m not opposed to you coming in and having some water and just hanging out with us,” said Stone. “We watch a lot of sports and yell at the TV. Do it with us, because that’s what we do. You’re family when you’re here with us.” Stone tries to make The Pizza Cabin a fun environment for everyone. He’s added a couple of games inside where the kids can play the arcade machines and knock each other’s high scores around. He’s even trying to add a bar 48 JUNE 2022 | PROMOTING EVENTS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE | INTHEVUE.COM upstairs that’ll mainly continue catering to the downstairs business. “You know, any place I go now I’m not known as Bradley Stone. I’m known as the pizza guy,” said Stone. “There’s very rarely a spot that I go to where they’re not asking me if I’m delivering pizzas or when I’m gonna be open, or have I added anything new to the menu.” Stone sees this as his second chance. He’s here for a reason. “I don’t know a lot of things, but when I get to the pearly gates, I really hope that He put me on this earth to make pizzas, as silly as it sounds,” said Stone. “He wouldn’t have left me here for a second chance if He didn’t have plans for me to do something.” Stone actually died on the table multiple times throughout the beginning of his healing journey - doctors often taking his mother aside telling her he may not make it through the night. Stone claims those nights not only made him stronger physically, but also spiritually. “My faith is stronger than ever. You know, when I was younger, I didn’t really care. I went to church, and I did things, but I went to church because my grandma wanted me to go to church, right? I didn’t have that connection I do now,” said Stone. “I knew He was real. But after everything, He’s truly shown me life. I want to tell my story because someone might just think if he can do this – so can I.” Within the years of healing, Stone has built a restaurant from family and friends with faith, won the 2019 Business of the Year Award from the Grand Rivers Chamber of Commerce, and more. “I have a girlfriend now who truly loves me, and we also have a grandson. You never look at something and think of the opportunities it’s truly given me in the long haul,” said Stone. “It’s my second chance and I intended to keep it going. It’ll be here until my grandson grows up, and then he is free to be the next pizza man.”
