No small community complete without apple pie
Without a big box store in sight, or a gas station for that matter, Plumas Lake is still very much a small town. And what small community would be complete without a little apple pie.
This was exactly what Christine Bratton thought when she launched her business, CB’s Perfect Pies, last winter. CB’s Perfect Pies, is a dream home business for Bratton that offers a variety of made-for-order pies.
“CB’s Perfect Pies is a little adventure that has completely taken me by surprise,” Bratton said. “I knew that I made great pies and I knew that there might be a market for them here in Plumas Lake, but I was unsure as to how a little “take and bake” pie idea would be received.”
Her answer came shortly following the holiday season of 2006 when she launched her home-grown business and found the demand was high. CB’s first public show was during the Christmas Fair at Rio Del Oro School last November, where she tested the acceptance of her products. Handing out samples of her Original Apple Pie to customers and giving them a choice of either delivery or pickup, Bratton found herself baking right up until Dec. 23.
The idea for the home business, which sports very little overhead other than a business license and ingredients, came from a conversation that this former stay-at-home mom of two had with a neighbor’s out-of-town relatives.
“I remember the relative saying how much she would have liked a place that would prepare homemade food that she could just pull out of her freezer and pop in the oven,” said Bratton.
“I thought about that statement for months and one day last October it hit me - pies. I make excellent pies.”
The idea grew from there and after the getting support from both her husband and mother-in-law, who provided the original pie recipe which has been tweaked, CB’s Perfect Pies was born.
While the peak season seems to be the holidays, Bratton, who finds she answers to several names now including mom and the “Pie Lady,” has had steady business throughout the year.
CB’s Perfect Pies currently offers the Original Apple Pie, which is made fresh and then frozen, but is looking ahead to the fall and upcoming holiday season when two additional pies will be added. The Christmas Pie, a chocolate fudge and peppermint ice cream pie with a chocolate cookie crust and My Perfect Pumpkin pie, made with Bratton’s original homemade crust will be
made and baked fresh.
Bratton’s pies sell for $12.50 each or two for $23.
The upcoming Christmas Pie will be $15.
Bratton hopes to continue with CB’s Perfect Pies and dreams of opening a pastry shop and coffeehouse in Plumas Lake.
For more information on CB’s Perfect Pies or to place an order contact Bratton at 530-741-2234 or cbsperfectpies@gmail.com.
