Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Wentzel.
Hi Debbie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am from Texas, and I married my “German” husband. This is where we began our life in SC. We moved here from Germany for my husband’s new career with Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans. With an extensive background as a flight attendant in the nursing and food and beverage industries, it’s no surprise that they have led me to my current journey as an entrepreneur and owner of my business. However, it was the result of my getting cancer that sparked this journey of CiderHouse PieShop, LLC. I couldn’t work or keep up with the demands of those industries while ill, so to pass my time, I just started baking for my husband’s colleagues and sending “bakes” with him to work. My husband suggested,” Maybe try making pies for the farmer’s market?” He knew/knows of my baking background and how much I love it and quite good at it. Keeping occupied, I baked often to do it and to feel normal. I always put my heart and soul into things, and they loved everything I sent, but when I first sent pies to them, the guys were all saying, This is it; this is what she needs to sell! Thus, CiderHouse Pie Shop! Why CiderHouse? Apple pie is one of the first pies I ever made (when I think cider, I think Apple, and I use apple cider in my apple pies). When my husband and I honeymooned in Wales, one of our cottages was named “CiderHouse,” I enjoy sharing this because I hope it inspires any who are ill (whether it is cancer or state of mind) that just because your body is sick, doesn’t mean you “mind/soul” has to be! I have always heard this noted or quoted in many ways, but it didn’t hit home until I was in this position!
The mind or Attitude rather is everything! If we think small, we become small. Think and dream big and become big! I went from a tent to a food truck and am actively looking for a place now (I have CiderHouse Pie Shop as a brick-and-mortar)! I prefer Summerville as we live in Summerville, SC Ardently. I would love to serve my direct community in Summers Corner (Summerville, SC). We plan on serving pies whole, coming in for a slice or all-motion, pot pies, quiche, a whoopie pie bar, an espresso bar, and other beverages. We are also making vanilla bean ice cream for the “a la mode!” My way of loving others is by treating or feeding/serving them!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it is not smooth at all! COVID significantly didn’t help, but the high cost of “starting” or growing can be stunting in finding some skilled or committed employees. We have a great concept but need serious money from here to there in the front! High lease/rent has truly kept me from moving towards that goal. The pie concept is unique and will need a special place to be a strong contender among many franchises and high-level F&B’ers. I plan on acquiring wholesale accounts, too, and I am also working on that, but I must have my own space to do big accounts, not in a commissary (shared) kitchen. I often can only take on a few or more orders because I need more space or adequate space! Simply put, this might be my most formidable challenge and money backing to buy/build my spot! I have a good source for employees now! I have culinary training from educational (didn’t finish programs 2x) and professional (work) & I have a family of skilled bakers, professional and home/self-taught!
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
CiderHouse is committed to providing indulgent artisan baked goods crafted with environmentally friendly practices, always adhering to ethical sourcing & supporting local producers/farms to foster community spirit! Pie is Love & Community! An artisan, clean, whole ingredients Bakery that specializes in mostly (all things) pie, but we do have other baked items we do & offer. Some are seasonal/festive. Cookies, whoopies & biscuits: our biscuits are fantastic, and we want to provide them more often! I even have savory pies (or biscuit cobblers, rather) topped with biscuits, so delicious and popular (when offered)!
What makes me different is my passion for making pie crust! How can something so simple bring such joy? I tell folks it’s my “runners high!” It’s how I love on the soul that will soon ingest; I pray, sing, reminisce, and give when I’m making/creating and crimping every pie crust I touch! It’s that same high when I mix my biscuits. The perfection of the movements and handwork to create is my peace. My back doesn’t enjoy it, but my soul surely does! I am extreme sometimes when it comes to the ingredients used in my products, to the point that they can be my biggest seller, but if my source can not find a quality ingredient that affects my final product, I won’t sell it! My biggest example is my signature and best-selling pie, Cherry Crumb Pie. I will only use German cherries for it; if they’re too expensive to source or can’t get them, there is no sub. Just don’t sell it. It’s a shame because it’s one of the best cherry pies you will ever eat! I have turned so many onto “cherry pie,” and they will only eat my cherry pie. Yes, there is a story behind the cherries, lol!
When I moved into a food truck, I quickly realized how difficult it was to facilitate pie on a trailer (that is my lesson learned/mistake). I fumbled with it, surely to the point that I was treading water, so I pivoted, and the “Food Truck Service” is now Lowcountry Cannoli & Coffee. However, we still operate CiderHouse Pies as catering and seasonal Pie offerings! Diversity is good, and this has helped the food truck version turn around, but CiderHouse is looking for a home to call our own! I give to my community as the Food Truck Coordinator or most F&B-related things for our neighborhood events and weekly food truck nights! It’s my “give” to not only the community that supports me but also helping my own “industry by booking fellow food truckers! It’s a PT job! I serve on the community social events committee!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
I use resources from these avenues. I read and listen to “business growth” and Positive thinking books.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ciderhousepieshop.com
- Instagram: ciderhouse.pie.shop and LowCountryCannoli
- Facebook: @CiderHousePieShop
- TikTok: LowCountry Cannoi & Coffee
Image Credits
Some photos would not attach, so I will have to email those to you; some are self-taken, and the ones I am emailing are from a photographer (with permission), Ansley Alexander Photography, which I will note in the email.
