In a charming corner of South Marquette, at the intersection of W. Hampton and Division Streets, Peace Pie Company has carved out a unique niche for itself. Founded by Lorri Smith, the journey of Peace Pie began in 2015 when she sold 20 pies at the Marquette Farmers Market, selling out by noon and marking the beginning of a beloved local institution.
Peace Pie’s Humble Beginning
The story of Peace Pie Company doesn’t quite begin at the Farmers Market but with a simple question: “What would your dream job be?” Lorri’s response: “I just want to roll pie dough all day.” Later, while driving north on I-75, Lorri’s daughter encouraged her, saying, “Mom, I think you should do that,” and offered to help. What started as a small venture baking pies in her apartment quickly grew in popularity, with locals lining up for her delicious creations before she even set up her tent at the market.
Lorri was making a lot of pies, “People were calling me. Can I get some pies for my husband’s birthday, for my daughter’s wedding? And, then, a restaurant contacted me, wanting me to make pies for them.” She’d outgrown the small apartment kitchen and needed a commercial kitchen. For a few years, she rented the kitchen at the Masonic Temple. “Which was nice because it was a lot easier to make 20 pies there than in my little apartment,” she said, chuckling.
Iron Bay
Her Cinderella story continued, with the owner of Iron Bay restaurant asking if she would like to bake pies and sell them at the restaurant. She said sure, only if she could keep the Peace Pie company name. I could see Lorri’s fairy godmother waving a wand in the air as she talked. She explained that when customers came in, they could see that the pies in the case were from Peace Pie Company.
She continued selling her pies at the farmer’s market but wanted her own place. Initially, Peace Pie was set to expand with the help of a $25,000 grant from the Marquette Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The space in the DDA’s area where they planned to build their new home didn’t work out, and Peace Pie had to forfeit the DDA grant. This setback didn’t deter Lorri; instead, it led to the discovery of a new, more fitting location in South Marquette.
South Marquette
Enter Patty Barton, Lorri’s new business partner. When things fell apart at the Third Street location, Patty called Lorri with a business proposition. She owned a building in South Marquette that would be perfect for Peace Pie Company. The icing on the pie, so to speak, is that Patty shared Lorri’s vision for the business and her passion for making beautiful food. Lorri said, “Every gray cloud has a silver lining. And I think being here at this spot in South Marquette is my big effing silver lining.”
The Story Behind Peace Pie’s Name
Who doesn’t love hearing their name story? I love hearing my sisters bicker about how my parents picked my name. It’s all good fun, but it isn’t as special as Peace Pie’s story. Lorri said, “People love this story. I’m a big fan of folk music, and I love Arlo Guthrie.” One memorable evening, she and her daughter saw him perform at the Calumet Music Theater. The concert concluded with a beautiful song called “My Peace,” written by Woody Guthrie and sung by Arlo.
The song has a warm, campfire sing-along vibe, and during the performance, the entire theater joined in, singing “My Peace,” much like a kumbaya session. As they drove home, still singing the song, her daughter Ivy said, “Mom, when you open your own pie shop, you need to call it Peace Pie because baking pies is your peace.”
The song “My Peace” is about finding and sharing one’s inner peace, and Ivy’s idea perfectly captures that sentiment. The Peace Pie tagline, “Baking the world a better place,” reflects this philosophy. Lorri shared, “Naming it Peace Pie felt just right when I decided to open my pie shop.”
Curious, we asked Lorri how she feels pie creates peace. Lorri’s response made me feel happy, and I wasn’t even eating pie at the time, “There is a quote, and I don’t know, I’ve tried to find who has written this quote,” Lorri said. “I’ve seen it many places. I’ve written it on many chalkboards at farmers markets; it says stress cannot exist in the presence of pie.”
Building Community Through Collaboration
Peace Pie Company isn’t just about serving delicious pies; it’s about fostering community and collaboration. Lorri and her team are working closely with other local businesses to create a vibrant network of partnerships. For example, Peace Pie is collaborating with Chris Durley from The Courtyards for guest chef dinners and with Ryan Iacovacci and Joe Lane from MycoNaut’s culinary subsidiary, Marquette Mushrooms, for a workshop on growing mushrooms.
Lorri’s enthusiasm for these events is palpable, as she envisions Peace Pie as a community hub where people can come together, learn, and enjoy great food. Their event tagline is “Come for the fun, stay for the pie.” But it’s not just about the events. “We have a lot of families who visit us and many remote workers who are choosing to work at Peace Pie with a good cup of coffee,” Lorri added.
Core Values and Community Impact
The mission of Peace Pie Company is rooted in five core values: happiness, community, service, fairness, and creativity. These values guide every aspect of their operations. Lorri believes that pie brings happiness and fosters community, as evidenced by the support they received from locals during the rhubarb shortage.
“I used to get my rhubarb from a beautiful, big patch in Scandia. I had unlimited amounts during the season, but the house was sold last year, and the new owners dug up all the rhubarb,” Lorri shared. She struggled to find a new local source until their electrician, who helped with the shop build-out, mentioned that he and his wife grew rhubarb. They brought them around 30 pounds a few times. “We used up every bit of rhubarb,” Lorri said. “Then someone put a post out on Facebook, you know, looking for rhubarb. And the response was amazing. People were showing up at the pie shop with rhubarb,” she said, laughing. Her laugh is infectious, I might add.
Service is another critical value. Peace Pie regularly organizes fundraisers, such as donating a dollar from every colorful pride cupcake that looks like a rainbow to the U.P. Rainbow Pride. They also plan events focused on mental health and alternative therapies, demonstrating their commitment to holistic community well-being.
Innovating with Local Ingredients
Embedded in Peace Pie’s core value is supporting local agriculture. While not all ingredients are sourced locally, the list is growing. Their local ingredients include eggs from Coverland Farms and maple syrup from Marquette Maple. Lorri aims to increase the number of vendors, recognizing the challenges of sourcing fresh produce in the north.
Peace Pie is also committed to sustainability. They collaborate with Partridge Creek Compost, setting up multiple compost buckets in their shop to get as close to zero waste as possible. This partnership extends to educating customers about the benefits of composting and contributing to a healthier environment.
Expanding the Menu and Embracing Creativity
Peace Pie is continuously innovating its menu. They recently taste-tested a breakfast galette made with local ingredients. I had to ask for more details about the breakfast galette.
“We take our pie pastry, and then I made what we’re calling hippie hash,” Lorri said. This hash includes local ingredients like breakfast sausage, veggies, kale, beets, sweet potato, fennel seed, and onion. They spread a smear of cream cheese on the pastry dough, add the hippie hash, and fold it up into a galette. After baking it, they crack an egg on top just before pulling it out of the oven.
Their drink menu now features basil lemonade and various cold brew options with unique flavorings like lavender and maple.
Lorri and her team’s creativity extends beyond the kitchen. They are excited about hosting pie and beer pairings with local breweries, bringing their delicious pies to venues like Barrel + Beam and Kognisjon Bryggeri. These events highlight the versatility and portability of pie, making it a perfect companion for local brews.
Looking to the Future
Lorri’s dream is for Peace Pie to remain a vibrant part of South Marquette for decades. With its commitment to community, collaboration, and creativity, Peace Pie is well on its way to becoming a lasting fixture in the area. The shop’s motto, “Baking the world a better place,” encapsulates its mission and the positive impact they have on its community.
Peace Pie Company is more than a pie shop; it’s a testament to the power of following one’s passion and the incredible impact that small businesses can have on their communities. Whether you’re enjoying a slice of their famous Dutch apple pie or attending a workshop on growing mushrooms, Peace Pie offers a unique, welcoming experience that embodies the spirit of Marquette.
Photos
We have more Peace Pice photos in our gallery.
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