An Arlington pie store known for its buttery, hand-crafted treats is receiving national attention.
Livin’ The Pie Life, known for its flaky crust and loyal community following at 2166 N. Glebe Road, is currently in the running for Newsweek’s “America’s Best Pie” award.
“We’re just so thankful for our customers,” co-owner Heather Sheire told ARLnow. “Without the people who supported us through Covid, who come in frequently and who tell other people about our pies, we wouldn’t be here. We’re hopeful this poll might bring some national recognition, but we’re also hoping our hometown heroes will be proud of us and come out to support us by voting.”
The shop is one of just 20 stores around the country to receive a nomination in Newsweek, and voting is currently open to name the 10 winners.
Sheire and co-owner Wendy MacCallum started Livin’ The Pie Life in 2011, selling baked goods at local farmers markets until they opened their brick-and-mortar location in 2016.
“Everything is done by hand,” Sheire said. “We use really high-quality ingredients. We use a lot of butter — there’s a lot of butter in that crust. The process actually takes three days from beginning to end, and the result is that it’s very flaky and crispy.“
Mainstays at the store include apple pies — in both apple caramel and french apple varieties — as well as berry, Key lime and chocolate pies. The shop also has a rotating seasonal menu, currently selling blueberry pies but getting ready to transition soon to savory tomato pie and peach pie.
“We’re blanching, peeling, and chopping every peach by hand,” MacCallum said. “It is a tremendous amount of work. Everything is done by hand — from cutting the butter for the crust, to rolling out the dough, to making all the fillings.”
Both owners were working at the store yesterday (Thursday), splitting time between the kitchen and the front of the shop, where they kept up friendly chatter with customers. Some have been buying pies since 2011, MacCallum said.
“We have customers who just come in for a sample, and that’s perfectly fine,” MacCallum said. “Then, we have people who’ve included us in their weddings, retirements, military promotions, baby showers, you name it. Being part of those moments means everything. We want to be part of the community, and we want people to feel like they’re part of ours, too.”
Online voting is open through Aug. 26, and the results will be published on September 9.
“If people enjoy life, they should come and vote for Livin’ the Pie Life,” seven-year customer Omar Terrie said. “It is everything good in the world wrapped up in a pie.”
Photos 5-7 via Livin’ The Pie Life/Instagram
