At 7 a.m. yesterday, Michele’s Pies opened for business.
At 7:01, satisfied customers were already walking out the door.
Westport’s newest – and yummiest – store sits smack in the middle of town. The old Baskin-Robbins store is prime real estate.
It’s bright. It’s airy. It sells treats.
What’s not to like love?
Michele Albano’s “soft opening” yesterday was anything but. She was busy all day. A steady stream of customers – moms, high school kids, nearby workers – wandered in; snatched up fruit pies (like apple raspberry crumb, mango pineapple with macadamia coconut cream), nut pies (chocolate pecan bourbon, maple oatmeal rasin) and/or cream pies (strawberry glace, ultimate banana split).
They also snagged a chicken pot pie or broccoli cheddar quiche, maybe a muffin, cookie or brownie and/or a coffee, tea or fruit juice. And they left smiling.
They hadn’t even tried their pies yet.
This one — Michele’s 2nd store — is not tucked away like her Norwalk location. Unlike that one, this has pie slices (and à la mode!).
She’ll also sell more bread than Norwalk, including cinnamon and her award-winning challah.
It will be hard to leave her new store, even for a shot at a US title. Right now, after all, Westporters are showing her plenty of love.
“It fills the void left by Baskin-Robbins,” more than one new customer has said.
Actually, it does more than that. I’ll take a pear cranberry with walnut crumb pie over bubblegum ice cream any day.