(small-town) american pie

"We must have a pie.  Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie." 

-- David Mamet, American Pulitzer Prize-winning playright

Alabama -- or for that matter, the South in general -- can get some pretty awful press.  And, when you drive through the small towns of our region, you may have wondered, "Seriously, how do people live in a place like this?"  I admit, I have.

As a public relations professional, my good friend Lori (and fellow foodie) keeps me informed on all things newsworthy, and for once, a tiny little town in Alabama made big (positive) news with the opening of Pie Lab.

To celebrate her birthday, we drove the hour-and-a-half to Greensboro, Alabama, to check out Pie Lab, and to embrace a different side of local culture.

the eats

Pie Lab serves up both sweet and savory pies, the variety of which depends on the day, and probably the mood of the staff.  Today's savories were Spinach & Feta, and Ham & Cheddar.  Both were outstanding, with a delicate quiche crust, and fluffy, rich fillings.

The sweets included Lemon Icebox, Sweet Potato, Oreo, Key Lime, Mixed Berry, and Apple.  Lori indulged in what was, by far, the best lemon icebox pie I've ever tasted, outside the home of someone's grandmother.  I was served the first piece of apple pie, piping hot, right out of the oven.

the drinks

Iced and hot teas, homemade lemonade, coffee, and water are available self-served, and in mason jars.  Could not be more charming!

the special touches



Although the menu is simple, the dish patterns are ecclectic and random, and the coffee mugs rival a collection of hand-me-downs from your past three garage sales (in a charming sort of way).  The space on Main Street is a gem, boasting exposed brick walls, hardwood floors to die for, and shabby-chic design elements that make you feel like you've stepped back in time.

the community



Long, farm-style tables with mismatched chairs invite folks to visit casually and leisurely.  In fact, Pie Lab was initally opened to foster the sharing of ideas, and in turn, lead to optimism and positive change within the community.

the people



The staff is no-frills and shy, but friendly and open to any and all questions.  Lori and I pulled up chairs to their work table, and chatted the afternoon away.  We quizzed them on their own favorite pies, their backgrounds, what it's like baking forty pies a day, and how they get that crust so flaky.  We experienced the Pie Lab community in the flesh.

what makes pie lab a diamond in the rough



The initial business plan from two years ago didn't catch on as the first owner had hoped.  But today, Pie Lab is a non-profit organization, providing one of Alabama's poorest towns a place where people can connect, and where struggling members of their community are given a unique chance for a little bit of hope.

Today, two gentlemen were volunteering -- from clearing tables to washing dishes -- one while taking online college classes, and one while working hard to obtain his GED.  Shay, the number two pie baker extraordinaire, was hired out of a program where she'd previously made $8 a day (yes, a day) to support her two babies.  At Pie Lab, she's given the chance to work a real job, and to make a better life for her family.

what made today red-letter

Small-town Americana gets a bad rap, but today I was reminded of good things about communities where populations might be small, but generosity flows in abundance.  People share a table together, and they share lives with each other.  

And in a little pie shop on Main Street in Greensboro, Alabama, where guests pay by the honor system, and birthday girls get a free piece of pie, even though the store isn't making any money, their town gets to taste togetherness, with a slice of pie on the side.