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 pauses -- briefly -- during her busy first day.
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.