Laurie Gray, the owner of The Pie Bar on North Pine Avenue in Downtown Long Beach, left the corporate world after 30 years to rescue the “lost art” of pie making.
“Lots of people don’t have the time or skills to make fresh, handmade pie,” she said. “I wanted to make sure pie didn’t die.”
Local merchants with businesses on “Decadent Row,” a string of downtown shops featuring desserts and delicacies, pose at MADE by Millworks, where they each got their start. Pictured, from left, are: MADE by Millworks Owner Michelle Molina; Romeo Chocolates Owner Romeo Garcia; Saints & Sinners Bakeshop Owner Traci De La Torre; The Pie Bar Owner Laurie Gray; and MADE Manager Heather Kern. (Photograph by the Business Journal’s Anne Artley)
Gray is one of many local artisans who have set up shop in Downtown Long Beach. After selling her pies from home for about a year, she moved into MADE by Millworks, a consignment shop located downtown. Five food vendors who started out at MADE now have their own shops, three of which are downtown. These merchants, which include Romeo Chocolates and Saints and Sinners Bakeshop, are part of what is known as “Decadent Row,” a string of small businesses downtown that offer desserts and delicacies.
MADE is not only a store, but also a mixed-use space that hosts art openings and a monthly storytelling event. It features a pop-up restaurant, called The Wild Chive, that serves a vegan brunch every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Our general philosophy is that the store allows ‘makers’ to have a place to sell their products to tourists and locals without the expenditures of rent or insurance,” Owner Michelle Molina said.
MADE by Millworks takes a “hyper-local” approach, featuring only brands from within 20 miles of the shop, according to Manager Heather Kern. Kern and Molina coordinate a theme for the art, readings and products in the store so it has a consistent feel. This month’s theme, “punk rock Christmas,” encompasses a book signing with former DJ Richard Blade on December 21 from 6 to 9 p.m., 240 Pine Ave. Blade’s autobiography, “World In My Eyes,” traces the DJ’s rise from spinning tunes at European clubs to becoming a well-known radio personality in Los Angeles.
Similarly, the art gallery features a collection of works from four photographers who are also musicians. The closing reception is from 7 to 10 p.m. on December 29 and the artists will be in attendance.
“It’s not just a retail shop, it really is a showcase for Long Beach culture,” Kern said. “Someone came in once and asked me if it was a store because she thought it was a gallery. This was a huge compliment.”
Both Saints & Sinners Bakery Owner Traci De La Torre and Gray said they were attracted to the active energy and vivacity of the downtown area.
“I think it’s awesome,” De La Torre said of the neighborhood. “I’ve lived in Long Beach for 15 years and I love it. I think this area is up and coming. I love that people are walking their dogs constantly and coming in here on rollerblades. I wanted to be a part of that vibe.”
Gray agreed that Downtown Long Beach is an ideal location for a small business, as the community embraces independent vendors and local artisans. Though her goal is to expand the Pie Bar in the next 10 years to multiple locations around the country, she said she would like to build up from her own backyard.
“I knew downtown was the number one place I wanted to be,” she said. “I just knew growth was coming to Downtown Long Beach in the form of new residences being built and new businesses coming in. We also get a lot of visitors from conventions downtown who are always looking for something local, that’s special and unique.”