Find a slice of pie heaven in this tiny Idaho town
A fresh lattice-topped cherry pie fits The Pie Safe Bakery & Kitchen’s classic style. | Photo by Megan Guido
Story and photos by Megan Guido
Crafts and baked goods await customers in The Pie Safe Bakery & Kitchen. | Courtesy of Pie Safe
The old adage that word of mouth is better than advertising certainly holds true for The Pie Safe Bakery & Kitchen in Deary, a town of about 500 people east of Moscow. Owners John and Grace French have never taken out a paid ad to promote their bakery and restaurant, yet people from all over North Idaho and the Palouse find their way there.
It must be the pie that draws them in, along with other homemade baked goods, wood-fired pizzas and sandwiches.
“Pies have always been a central part of what we do,” said John, who started the business in 2016 and named it Pie Safe, after the old-fashioned cupboards that were once used to safely store pies, bread and other perishable food items.
Their pies are often seasonal, with fresh strawberry and huckleberry favorites in the summertime and traditional pies like pumpkin, apple and pecan popular around the holidays. Thanksgiving is their busiest time of the year, when hundreds of people place orders for pie that they pick up at the shop right in Deary. No deliveries are made.
“We’ve trained people to come here for pie,” John joked.
An old-fashioned sign advertises pie at the Pie Safe. | Photo by Megan Guido
Customers may also come because of the unique, remodeled space that was once an auto-body shop on the corner of First and Main in Deary. Welcomed by the enticing aroma of fresh-brewed coffee and a selection of breakfast and lunch items made with local ingredients, visitors can shop cheeses made by the next-door Brush Creek Creamery and goods and food products from local crafters and cooks.
A new feature John and Grace are offering is a special dinner by reservation once a month. The preset menu features a five-course meal and typically sells out. The next one is March 19.
John said Pie Safe is growing as fast as they can support, but they try to be smart about what they can and want to do. They don’t forget what they are good at — baking.
John praised his staff of 25 employees, including five bakers, and said they work hard.
“It’s a very enjoyable place to be and work,” he said.
Visit The Pie Safe:
307 Main Street, Deary
7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday
7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
www.piesafebakery.com
