Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Albertson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Texas Pie Company was started when I lost my job in 1986. I had baked with my Family from the time I was able to reach the counter. I set out with my Family’s cherished recipes, a rolling pin and a plan. I started baking for restaurants in the Central Texas area. The response was amazing. We still bake for 80% of my original Restaurant Clients. My Huband Spencer Thomas and I purchased our property in Kyle in 2000. We opened our doors to the Public and started our next chapter in Baking. Texas Pie Company was embraced by our community. Over the years, we have been called the “Beating Heart” and the “Crown Jewel” of our charming Downtown Square. The dining room at Texas Pie Company has been graced by Senators, Local Judges, Congressmen, and other luminaries wanting a homestyle meal and a great Pie to take home.
In 2016 we entered HEB’s Quest for Texas Best with our Original Pie Dough Puck, bringing home the 1st place prize and a contract to have our Pie Dough in 350 HEB stores across our Great State of Texas.
We have been named in the top 10 places in the Nation for Pie by websites, Southern Living, Texas Living, and many other articles over the last 22 years.
We are a tourist destination for the seekers of Hand made Pies bring customers from all over the Nation to try a slice of Texas on a Plate.
We partnered with The City of Kyle in 2017 to Brand “Kyle the Pie capital of Texas”. Partnering with the City of Kyle to increase tourism and economic development, we have a “Pie in the Sky Hot Air Ballon” festival, and businesses in Kyle are “Certi-pied”.
In 2019, I was awarded the SBA’s small women-owned business of the year.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has been the College of Hard Knocks. My success has been 30 years in the making. It has taken sheer will and determination not to fail. Creating a successful business meant that we are always working to further our brand. There have been many pitfalls that had to be overcome. Texas Pie Company was started with $1500.00 and a drive to succeed at all cost. Failure was not an option, there weren’t any Angel investors to help us.
Every hardship was an opportunity to learn from the mistake and carry on. We didn’t have employees in the beginning, it was Spencer and I running the show, baking, making deliveries, and customer service.
Finding a permanent affordable home for Texas Pie Company took us nine years. Some of the challenges include buying a 10k oven that didn’t work and had to be sold as scrap-metal, a roof that leaked (we had 30 drip buckets catching rain), fire in the kitchen from our ovens, learning to remodel a 100 years old bldg. With no money, employees walking out during shift, raccoons in our ceiling, and too many other things to mention.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize to hand made quality pie. We are best known for our Pecan pies. All of our pies and doughs are made from scratch with quality whole ingredients. Making all of our fillings and pie doughs in house sets us apart from other bakeries that source fillings and doughs from outside vendors. We work hard to keep the 100 years old recipes true to the originals.
I am proud of every Pie we send out into the world that makes people happy. I am honored by all of our customers that have been loyal to us over the years, making us a part of their holiday traditions and Family gatherings. Telling us, “It’s just not the same without Texas Pie at the table”. It makes me proud knowing we have become a tradition with so many people.
What’s next?
Our plans for the future are working to create an evergreen-heritage company that will still be here after my husband and I are gone. Creating something from nothing that will have a rich Family history for the generations after us is our Goal.
Pricing:
- Pies $20 each
- Family size casseroles $17-$24
Contact Info:
- Email: texaspie@austin.rr.com
- Website: www.texaspiecompany.com
- Instagram: @texaspieco
- Facebook: The Texas Pie COmpany
Image Credits
Julie Albertson
