Park Slope Pie Shop Starts Fundraiser To Open 5th Ave Storefont

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — A popular pie business that residents may have already seen online or at pop-up shops over the past few years will open its first brick and mortar storefront this summer, but not without a little help from the community.

Lindsey Hill, founder of Miss American Pie, has started a kickstarter campaign to raise money for a storefront pie shop on Fifth Avenue. Hill signed the lease for an 86 Fifth Ave. spot between Warren Street and St. Marks Place this week, but needs about $30,000 to help make the pie, coffee and hangout spot a reality.

"The goal is to be a really inviting, fun-loving space," she said. "My whole idea is to spread love and be a place that people love hanging out."

The Illionois native said her love of baking started when she was very young, but that it wasn't until she started bringing pies and other baked goods to her coworkers in the New York City fashion industry that she realized there might be a real opportunity there.

Hill started Miss American Pie after leaving her fashion job in late 2016, baking in a rented kitchen and selling online or where she could in person. As more and more people tasted her pies, she said, she realized baking wasn't just a hobby, but a passion she needed to pursue.

"Once I started selling pies...people were like, 'Oh, I can taste the love in this pie,'" she said. "I thought, spreading love through pie is what I want to do."

(Lindsey Hill)

Hill started searching for a storefront in a few neighborhoods in northwest Brooklyn before landing on the Fifth Avenue spot. She was drawn to the Fifth Avenue location, she said, because it seemed like it would help her reach a diverse group of people and provide a venue for those people to go.

"It's kind of this convergence between a bunch of different neighborhoods," she said. "There's Downtown Brooklyn, there are commuters, there are a lot of families in Park Slope and Fort Greene. My whole idea is about building community and I just love that diversity."

The space, which will likely open in July, will hold monthly community events, can be rented for parties and will feature local artists on its walls.

(Anna Quinn/Patch)

Each donation on the kickstarter will help her buy equipment to fill the space, like a dual convection oven, a walk-in cooler, a dough sheeter, an ice machine, a bakery display case, an espresso machine and other tools. Hill said she hopes to create a 50s diner feel with a more modern twist. The design is still being finalized, she said, but the store will likely include classic checkered floors and shiny red accents mixed with more "raw industrial" elements.

As for the pies, Hill said her menu will feature a wide range of dessert pies, savory pies and other pastries, including gluten free and vegan options.

(Lindsey Hill)

Her best sellers so far have been a signature apple, peaches and blueberry pie with an oatmeal crumble and lattice crust on top or her coconut cream pie, which has a secret ingredient in its crust, she said.

Once she is up and running, likely by July, Hill said she hopes Miss American Pie will help bring a nostalgic enjoyment to her customers.

"Pie is a memory food — people want pie like their grandma used to make," she said. "In the fast pace of the city I think we're getting away from that. It's hard to even remember how great it is to sit around and eat pie together."