News Summary
Pie Time, a beloved pie shop in Baltimore’s Patterson Park, is permanently closing due to ongoing financial challenges, including a recent tax lien. Founder Max Reim announced the closure on social media, reflecting on the difficulties of running a small food business. Since its founding in 2015, Pie Time has been known for its handcrafted pies using locally sourced ingredients and a family recipe. As the shop prepares to shut down, Reim seeks a new tenant for the space while continuing to provide coffee to the community.
Baltimore Announces Closure of Pie Time After Several Years of Business
Baltimore, MD — Pie Time, a popular farmers market stand and shop located in Patterson Park, has announced it will be closing its doors permanently. The decision comes after years of providing handcrafted pies and navigating the challenges inherent to small food businesses.
Announcement and Reasoning
The closure was publicly announced via an Instagram post by the business’s founder, Max Reim. In his message, Reim acknowledged the difficulties faced by entrepreneurs in the food industry, describing the business environment as “hard, rewarding and wild.” While he expressed gratitude for customer support and the community’s kindness, the announcement indicated that ongoing financial struggles have prompted the permanent shutdown.
History and Background of Pie Time
Reim started Pie Time in 2015 with a modest $5,000 investment and a pickup truck, initially selling pies at local farmers markets. His dedication to quality ingredients and community support helped grow the business over the years. In 2020, Reim expanded by opening a brick-and-mortar location at 3101 E. Baltimore St., transforming a former grocery store through a two-year renovation project into a dedicated pie shop.
Operations and Business Model
The shop became somewhat of a Baltimore staple, with Reim sourcing seasonal ingredients from local farms and utilizing his mother’s pie crust recipe, ensuring a homemade touch in every pie sold. The shop also offered coffee, which will continue to be available, as Reim seeks a new tenant to lease the space. Despite these efforts, financial difficulties persisted, culminating in a $58,000 tax lien placed by the state of Maryland as of January 2024.
Financial and Legal Challenges
The recent tax lien represents a significant obstacle for the business. Reim has described the closure as part of “business mistakes and a dollop of bad luck,” underscoring the financial strains that led to the decision. The lien has added weight to the mounting economic pressures faced by small businesses across the region, especially those in the food sector.
Community and Personal Impact
Reim expressed appreciation for the customers who supported Pie Time throughout its years of operation. Living in an apartment above the shop, he noted feeling both heartbroken and relieved at the same time—heartbroken over the end of his venture but relieved at letting go of the associated stresses. Despite the closure, he remains thankful for the community’s support and kindness over the years.
Competitors and Local Pie Scene
While Pie Time is closing, other local options for pie lovers remain available, including Dangerously Delicious in Hampden and B-More Pies and Sweets in Canton. These establishments continue to serve the Baltimore community with their own unique offerings.
Conclusion and Future Plans
As Pie Time prepares to close, the focus shifts toward wrapping up current operations and managing the transition. The shop will continue serving coffee, and Reim is actively seeking a new tenant for the space, potentially opening new opportunities in the future. Despite the closure, the story highlights the resilience required to operate a small food business in a competitive environment and the importance of community support in sustaining local enterprises.
FAQs
- What is Pie Time? Pie Time is a farmers market stand and shop in Patterson Park, Baltimore, known for handcrafted pies and seasonal ingredients.
- When was Pie Time founded? Reim founded Pie Time in 2015 with a $5,000 investment and a pickup truck.
- Where was the brick-and-mortar location opened? The physical store was opened in 2020 at 3101 E. Baltimore St.
- What financial issues did Pie Time face? As of January 2024, the business has a $58,000 tax lien from the state of Maryland.
- Will the shop continue to operate after closure? Yes, the shop will continue serving coffee while Reim seeks a new tenant for the space.
- Who owns Pie Time? The business is owned by Greenmark Investments Inc., according to online property records.
- What helped shape the pies? Reim used his mother’s pie crust recipe and sourced seasonal ingredients locally.
- What challenges did Reim mention regarding the business? He cited “business mistakes and a dollop of bad luck” as contributing factors to the decision to close.
- Are there other pie options in Baltimore? Yes, including Dangerously Delicious in Hampden and B-More Pies and Sweets in Canton.
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Additional Resources
- The Baltimore Banner: Pie Time Closure
- Baltimore Magazine: Thanksgiving Pies
- Patch: Best Apple Pie in the US
- Food & Wine: Iconic Pie Shops
- Google Search: Pie Business Challenges
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
