The Pie Hole, Jenell Parsons’ beloved Vancouver and Burnaby-based cafe, has expanded to Langley.
Parsons founded the Pie Hole in 2011, starting with farmer’s markets and pop-ups before expanding to a brick and mortar location in 2017. In 2020, she published You Wanna Piece In Me?, a best-selling cookbook with over 100 recipes, tips and tricks. Setting up shop in what was previously The Pinkavo Cafe on the Fraser Highway one-way, The Pie Hole opened three days before Thanksgiving to enthusiastic, sweet-toothed customers.
Serving up their famous classics like Raspberry Cream Crumble, seasonal favourites, half-pound cookies, and the Pie Hole’s own coffee, Parsons’ family business has already earned the trust of the Langley community, with regulars piling in on the daily.
I sat down with Parsons to learn more about the Pie Hole’s brand new location.
Tell me about what inspired you to start baking pies?
JP: For me, pie is just another expression of art and love and feeding people. There’s something special about that, and I think anybody who gets into this industry would think that it’s nourishing for the soul and it’s a pleasure to feed people and make them happy. So that was a big part of it for me.
My background is as an artist. I used to be [a painter] and I sold paintings around the world. I don’t do that anymore so I think of pie as my medium now.
What is your “why” behind the Pie Hole?
JP: It’s far less subjective [than painting]. There are people who definitely have opinions, especially when you’re new and trying to open a cafe but people generally get really excited for pie– it’s been great.
What brought you to Langley?
JP: For me, listening to our customer base was super important. Especially at our Burnaby location, a lot of people came “over the bridge” and often asked us to come to [the Fraser Valley]. Shaughnessy, the previous owner and I were online social media friends out of a mutual love of our pugs and she offered me her shop, the Pinkavo Cafe when it was time for her to move on. She wanted to pass it on to good hands and that was me! I think it’s a jackpot. I found a location on a very busy popular street, and I’m learning lots.
Tell me about the design inspo for the shop – it looks so beautiful!
JP: I’ve personally done all the interior design for all locations. And I’m very fortunate, my husband is very handy so he brings my vision to life. I’ve always wanted to have a little bit of a throwback diner feel, but not too kitschy. For [colour scheme], we have our Pie Hole blue on our table tops and countertops with pops of red. And we used Shaunessy’s [already established] feature wall for a mural space. I collaborated with mural artist Alex Fowkes, a UK artist now based out of Squamish, and I couldn’t be happier with the way that turned out. The neon sign that we have at the front that says “Stuff your Pie Hole,” that’s at every location. Neon is a part of a diner vibe, and I wanted it to be cheeky and offside!
What has been the reception from the Langley community?
JP: It’s been amazing! It’s a very tight knit community, I get that feeling and sense of community. People have been really excited. I’m hoping to do a grand opening early November, we quietly opened the doors three days before Thanksgiving. It’s been so busy and everyone is so lovely. We already have regulars and people who have been there every single day since we opened.
What are some special pies on the menu right now?
JP: Well we have our core menu of stuff that we always have to have, which are our number one best sellers, and Langley did not disappointing with that either. It’s Raspberry Cream Crumble because it was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Everyone comes in for that and if we don’t have it, they’re not happy about it. This time of year we also move into our seasonal, cozies pies like the Bourbon Pecan Pie and Pumpkin, and we’ve got a Turkey Dinner pie. And the classics like Chicken Pot Pie – you can’t go wrong.
Coming up for Christmas we’ll have our Gingerbread Cream and our Eggnog and Rum pie.
A couple other products to mention, even though we’re the Pie Hole, is our Half-Pound Stuffed Cookies. And those sell out super fast in Langley.
We are also proudly serving our own coffee which is 3.14 Roasters. We work with a local roaster who’s been in business for over 30 years and together we’ve worked together to come up with the perfect blend. And we serve a lot of it! It’s like no one has ever seen coffee before!
Anything else you’d like to add, Jenell?
JP: For people planning ahead, you can pre-order online, it’s 36 hours notice, that way you can get what you’re hoping to get. Think about the holidays! Take and bake pies are also available – people love those. Come sooner and beat the lineup!
Visit the new Pie Hole location at 20534 Fraser Highway, Langley, open seven days a week.
There are many ways to get here by transit. Visit TransLink’s Trip Planner to find your way.
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