It all began with a simple Facebook post encouraging friends to try a local Winnipeg pie shop that was struggling. However, no one anticipated what happened next.

Winnipeg resident Kim Gibson said her post was only supposed to reach a few of her followers, encouraging them to check out Mr. D’s Tart and Pie Shop on Ness Avenue.

She said the business looked like it was not doing very well, as city road construction has made it difficult to access the store.

“When I went into the business, I saw in the display cases, they weren’t as full as they normally are,” she explained. “I went in there and it was kind of a ghost town, and it’s such a wonderful place, so it kind of broke my heart.”

Owner Sam Mendis said her pie shop has seen a 50 per cent drop in business.

“We don’t produce a lot of pies now, because we aren’t selling very much,” she added.

Neither Mendis or Gibson expected the Facebook post to get the attention of hundreds of people – as of Thursday it has had over 600 shares.

“Unbelievable, I never expected that,” Gibson said. “Even when we got to like 96, I was like ‘woo 96 shares’, it’s amazing.”

Since the post, Mendis said people who have never been to her store before are coming in to buy pies.

“I’ve never seen those people coming before,” she said. “They say ‘oh you know we really want to help the local’, so it’s really nice.”

A similar social media post went viral recently in Lethbridge, Alta. about a struggling mom-and-pop restaurant.

Since then the post has been shared thousands of times across the continent, and customers have been lined up around the block.

READ MORE: Struggling fish and chips shop booming after patron's post goes viral

Gibson hopes the same can happen for Mr. D’s Tart and Pie Shop.

“I would love to have a small business just succeed beyond their expectations because of something so small,” she said.

Mendis said she cannot believe the kind gesture.

“Oh I’m like really thankful for her. Letting everyone know about this store,” Mendis added.

Mr. D’s Tart and Pie Shop sells British goods, and is best known for its various pies.

BELOW: The construction in front of the pie store that’s limiting access. (Sarolta Saskiw/CTV Winnipeg)