A new British bakery, run by a family straight from England, is serving downtown Savannah a variety of fresh hot meat and dessert pies, pasties, quiches, shortbreads and cakes.
The Wagstaffs — mom Gillian, son Edward and daughter Melissa — moved to Savannah with Edward’s dream to open a bakery in the United States. This dream became a reality in February 2013 when they opened Pie Society in Pooler, but their eyes were still set on downtown Savannah.
On the first anniversary of the shop in Pooler they obtained a storefront at the corner of Jefferson and Bryan streets in City Market.
“We always wanted to open one downtown,” said Gillian. “It happened sooner than expected because the space became available.”
The former tenant, Ice Cream, Etc., closed in February, and Gillian took notice. She contacted the management of City Market, and soon after they made a visit to Pie Society in Pooler.
“We visited the Pooler location and had a terrific lunch,” said Kimberly Phillips, the assistant director at City Market. “Because it was different from any restaurant concept we currently have and knowing the tourist/local customer that we have in City Market, we felt it would fit in well with our tenant mix.”
The Wagstaffs got the space and started renovations in February. They brought everything up to code and updated the building, painting and installing walls, getting new furniture and décor to give it the feel of a chic British bakery and, on July 13, they opened their doors to customers.
Melissa Wagstaff, who trained under her brother Edward, the head baker of both shops, runs the downtown shop.
“Working here reminds me of being 14,” she said.
She and Edward both started working at another family-run bakery in Staffordshire, England, when they were 14 years old. Being three years older than Melissa, Edward got a head start and has a little more experience than his sister.
“I worked there for three or four years, and he probably worked there for eight or nine years,” said Melissa.
Edward also worked as a butcher and fishmonger but returned to baking. When the opportunity arose, he came with his mother to Savannah, and together the two opened their shop in Pooler. Melissa came a little later, in October 2013, to help with the business.
“If I get up at 5:30 I’m late,” said Melissa. “And then I get in at 7 p.m., seven days a week.”
And Edward, who leads a team of bakers, has had to transition from waking up at 3 a.m. to waking up at midnight to start preparing the food they’ll sell that day.
In their Pooler kitchen, Edward heads the team of bakers who make all of the pies, rolls and desserts that both locations sell.
“Basically we’re a hardworking family, giving out the best product we can, and we just hope everyone enjoys our meat pies,” said Gillian Wagstaff.
IF YOU GO
Pie Society at located 19 Jefferson St. is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 912-856-4785.
On the Web: http://thebritishpiecompany.com
Pie Society’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebritishpiecompany
City Market: http://www.savannahcitymarket.com