GREENSBORO, Ala. (WIAT) - T
his isn't your ordinary bake shop. But with a name like PieLab, it's bound to foster more than a big appetite. The concept was born in a small town in Maine, a place where residents could come together to generate ideas for their economically depressed town, all while eating a little slice of heaven.
"Their mission was pie plus ideas equals conversation and conversation plus design equals a positive change," says Sara Williamson," creative director of PieLab.
The creators brought the same PieLab idea to the small town of Greensboro, hoping to do the same thing.
It worked.
"What started out as kind of this distinct group coming in and leaving, is kind of infecting main street, and bringing other people here, and fostering conversations about entrepreneurial ventures," says John Bielenberg, PieLab's creator.
PieLab has sparked new life in this small town, especially along Main Street and the momentum doesn't appear to be slowing down.
Not only do locals continue to come in, but folks from out of state as well, eager to be inspired.
We know people come here for the concept, and they come here for the conversation, but let's be honest- they come here for the pie.
No secret recipe here- just local products..
"Mr. Whitfield's blueberries."
And Paula Deen's favorite ingredient...
"Of course we're in the south so got to use butter."
PieLab's products haven't gotten rave reviews for nothing.
Between the savory lunch quiche pies and their sweet dessert pies, business is booming. And so is the town's economy.
"The industries here don't employ enough- our job is to create them," adds Williamson.
With PieLab bringing such positive change to Greensboro, other small towns have expressed their desire to start up a PieLab as well.
For the recipe to that blueberry pie you just saw, click on the link below.
http://www.guideposts.org/recipes/pie-labs-blueberry-pie
