Local Loves: Florence Pie Bar

I haven’t had the opportunity to visit Florence, Massachusetts (a village in the northwestern part of Northampton) that much lately, not because I don’t like it there or because it’s not picturesque and beautiful- because it really is!- but because the pandemic hasn’t really given me a chance to go out to eat or shop around different parts of the Pioneer Valley as often as I’d like. Most of my time is spent supporting different small businesses in my own community of Greenfield and- when I need to get away from crowds- out in more isolated and less populated parts of Vermont and New Hampshire.

There is one place in Florence I absolutely have to visit this time of year though- because when it comes to Thanksgiving and holiday desserts- no one does it better than the Florence Pie Bar.

Established in 2014 in what was formerly Florence’s Main Street general store- the Florence Pie Bar offers a wide away of sweet and savory sandwiches, sides, desserts and beverages year-round using locally sourced products from neighboring businesses and farms.

They’ve also come to my rescue these past couple of years since I moved to the Valley as they offer a super simple pie ordering service for Thanksgiving- which takes pretty much all of the hassle and the mess out of my life (and my kitchen.) You just order the pie/pies you want- choose the date & time you plan on picking them up- and pay online. Last year I ordered the most delicious salted chocolate pie to bring to my mom’s- and this year I’m swinging by to drop off an apple crumble to thank her for putting on an impromptu drive-thru dinner for my brothers and I.

Earlier this week, I stopped by the Pie Bar a little early to grab some apple cider & carrot morning bread and pumpkin cheesecake bites I had been craving since perusing their menu for my holiday order a few days ago- and I was not disappointed. Everything they make is just so good.

The indoor dining area is currently closed, and the Pie Bar is only offering takeout at their side window right now to keep their staff and their customers safe- but I can’t wait for them to open back up fully. The inside of their little bakery is just as cute as the exterior!