26 | March/April 2017
five minutes under the warmer. When
I asked how they can bake so many
pies so quickly, Leslie answered, "We
received a grant from CEED (Center
for Economic Empowerment and
Development) and were able to purchase
an industrial oven." While it may take
all of us 45 minutes to an hour to bake
a pie at home, this high-performance
oven means the Pie Company can have
fresh pie ready in 20 minutes or less.
Making the dough
When Leslie isn't busy finalizing
the latest recipe or chatting with new
and regular customers alike, she can
be found in her studio working on
her latest multimedia art piece. Her
talents as entrepreneur and artist are
evident in the success of the Fayetteville
Pie Company, though Leslie credits
her staff for their success. "ey are
creative, authentic and have natural
talent." And the women who work
behind the counter love their job
and love their pie. Kristen Shimkus,
an employee who moved here from
Washington, said, "I came twice for
lunch and asked for a job." Even Leslie
still loves pie. "My husband and I were
paleo before this and people ask, 'Are
you still doing that?' I tell them, 'I'm
not paleo, I'm pie-leo.'"
When I inquired about future plans
for the Fayetteville Pie Company, Leslie
smiled and said, "I have a few things up
my sleeve." As for Pi(e) Day on March
14, keep your forks poised high and get
ready to break through some golden
flaky crust to see which recipe these
ladies will dream up next.
Visit them for lunch at 723 W.
Rowan Street or learn more about
the Fayetteville Pie Company and
their ever-changing daily menu at
fayettevillepiecompany.com or on
their social media pages. Pies are also
available to "take and bake" at home.
CV
Visit www.cityviewnc.com for more photos
Pulled Pork & Sweet
Potato Pie, "The
Fayetteville Favorite"
A tray of Chicken
Marsala Pies
Pink Lady Pie
