Pie Bird Bakeshop, already a popular fixture at the Ballard Farmers Market, will open its first brick-and-mortar location at 2218 NW Market St in Ballard on Friday, August 22.
Owner Hannah Jacobsen has been baking pies for almost a decade, selling them at local markets and through her monthly pie subscription service. Now, after adding new flourishes to the former Pie Bar location on Market Street, she’s ready to welcome customers into a permanent space of her own.
“It’s been a wild journey,” Jacobsen says. “I’ve been working out of a shared commissary kitchen in SoDo for seven-and-a-half years. I’m going to miss the relationships there, but it’s so nice to have my own space now.”
The new location comes with a fascinating history: the building was built in 1927 as the entrance of the former Bagdad Theater. Jacobsen leveled the floors, added subway tile on the wall behind the counter (a nod to her years living in New York), and built an open kitchen so customers can watch pies being made. Much of the equipment came from adventures around the Pacific Northwest—ovens from Portland, a mixer from a Dairy Queen on the Eastside.
New menu additions include cinnamon rolls—described by Jacobsen as “super gooey”—as well as more savory offerings, gluten-free pies, à la mode options with ice cream, and coffee from Lighthouse Roasters. Besides the expanded selection, the menu will still feel familiar to longtime fans, with sweet favorites, savory pot pies, and Pie Bird’s signature heart-shaped “pocket pies.”
Jacobsen has some heavy baking days ahead as the opening draws near. When asked about her personal favorite, it’s the strawberry rhubarb that wins out. “I love anything tart, and I always add just a little extra lemon juice to brighten the flavor.”
To start, Pie Bird will open Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with plans to expand hours. Jacobsen hopes the later weekend hours will catch the post-dinner crowd looking for a late-night dessert. The cozy bakeshop will also offer free WiFi and outlets for visitors who want to hang out while enjoying their pie.
Pie Bird Bakeshop will keep its farmers market presence and pie subscription program, which delivers a new pie flavor to members each month. Jacobsen says she’s excited to maintain the loyal customer base that’s supported her for years, while also reaching new neighbors in Ballard.
Photos: Geri Silver