Pop-Up Pies in Bishop Arts This Weekend

by Crave Staff

This weekend, Emporium Pies will sweeten Mardi Gras celebrations in the Bishop Arts District with a pop-up pie shop at 314 N. Bishop.

Emporium began when Megan Wilkes and Mary Gauntt had the “pie-dea” to perfect classic, family recipes while adding a little something special. 　Their hand-crafted gourmet pies sold briskly online during the holidays. Since the New Year, the girls (Megan is 25, Mary 24) have been at work in the kitchen and on the computer assembling a business plan for a storefront operation. Emporium’s plans have been received enthusiastically by Bishop Arts chefs, merchants, and property owners.     

Throughout the weekend, the pie-making duo will serve up slices of two favorites – the “Drunken Nut” (bourbon pecan with shortbread crust) and the “Smooth Operator” (French silk chocolate in a crispy pretzel crust). Emporium is keeping under wraps the ingredients of a third pie, concocted especially for Mardi Gras. Emporium has selected locally roasted Cultivar Coffee to be fresh-brewed and served at the pop-up shop.

Megan and Mary hope the success of the pop-up shop will lead to a permanent location in Oak Cliff. Emporium’s pies are hand-crafted from the freshest local ingredients with a focus on wholesome, organic cooking – a way of doing things that has been embraced by restaurants and diners in the Bishop Arts District. With David Spence of Good Space, Emporium is exploring the feasibility of putting a baking kitchen, retail counter, and dining area in the century-old cottage at 314 N. Bishop. Pie-lovers can track Megan and Mary’s progress at Emporium’s Facebook page and on Twitter (@emporiumpies).

Emporium’s pop-up pie shop opens Saturday morning after the Dash-for-the-Beads 5K race and will close at the end of the Mardi Gras Parade on Sunday evening.