Michigan-based pie retailer plans to open store in Ann Arbor
A Michigan-based all-natural pie company with a grocery distribution network that spans multiple states plans to open a retail location in Ann Arbor’s Traver Village this fall.
Achatz Handmade Pie Co. will move into a storefront just east of the Kroger store in the shopping center on Plymouth Road.
From Achatz Homemade Pie Co.
“We’ve been wanting to get over there for a long time,” co-owner and co-founder Wendy Achatz said from her company’s headquarters in Macomb County.
She’d considered a store in Grosse Pointe at the same time, and previously came close to signing a deal to move into Arborland.
However, she chose to move forward on the location in Traver Village, which formerly housed a dry cleaners, and now is making plans to open by Oct. 1.
The store - which is 2,200-square-feet - is about 50 percent larger than the retailer’s other 7 stores.
One reason is that there will be baking on-site, due to the Ann Arbor store’s distance from the company’s baking headquarters in Chesterfield, northeast of Clinton Township.
Wendy Achatz
“This is our project to see if we can spread this throughout the country,” Achatz said.
That’s a big step for the family owned business, which Achatz founded with her husband, David.
However, sales growth of 24 percent this year - following a year of 49 percent increases - are inspiring Achatz to consider further expansion.
The chain’s most recent retail outlet opened in Beverly Hills, and it also supplies many grocers, including Plum Market, Whole Foods and Hiller’s in Ann Arbor.
Today, the retail locations generate about 25 percent of sales. Another 35 percent comes from fresh pie deliveries in Michigan and Chicago.
Yet most of the growth comes from the ready-to-bake part of the business.
“Frozen, unbaked pies go out by the pallet loads to various big grocery chains that are baking them in their stores,” Achatz said.
The pies are made from Michigan-based products, Achatz said.
“We use about 1 million and a half pounds of fruit from Michigan,” she said.
The company’s pies have been made from as much as 95-percent Michigan products, Achatz said, but a recent change to stop using genetically engineered beet sugar from the state changed that ratio.
That’s just one example of the attention the company pays to the nutritional component of its products, Achatz sid.
The products are preservative- and chemical-free, she added, and many are vegan.
The pies - which come in 50 flavors, but are rotated seasonally - retail for $13.95 to $17.95 for a 10-inch, 3-pound version.
Achatz employs about 150 people, and it adds up to 40 more during the holidays. The Ann Arbor store is likely to be staffed by 6 people to start.
It also will have some seating available for by-the-slice buyers, and other menu items will include soup, coffee, tea and Faygo and Towne Club sodas.
But the focus will remain on the core product.
“We’re not a cafe-bakery,” Achatz said. “We do pies and we do them well.”
Paula Gardner is News Director of AnnArbor.com. Contact her at 734-623-2586 or by email.
Comments
Bertha Venation
Mon, Jul 11, 2011 : 7:10 p.m.
uh oh..... hmmmmm a little friendly competition, eh?
Ryan J. Stanton
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 11:14 p.m.
Very glad to hear they have vegan-friendly pies. I will definitely check out this place. A welcome addition to town.
CynicA2
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 9:39 p.m.
Stupid me, but how do you pronounce that name??
Epengar
Mon, Jul 11, 2011 : 2:42 a.m.
Their packaging says Achatz rhymes with jackets. Good pie.
Mich Res and Alum
Mon, Jul 11, 2011 : 1:39 a.m.
From an Armada-native, it's "Ack-itz"
John B.
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 9:48 p.m.
Not sure, but I will guess 'ah-shatz.'
DBH
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 6:19 p.m.
"The products are preservative- and chemical-free, she added, and many are vegan." This sounds as if the products are organic, but are not described as such. Are they organic? If not, why not?
A2Susie
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 5:49 p.m.
This is very good news! Welcome to the neighborhood, Wendy and David and your employees.
Christine Moellering
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 4:23 p.m.
I grew up with the Achatz family and still eat at their restaurant in St Clair (a great town for a day trip from Ann Arbor). I am really thrilled to see their success. Obviously, this family has a talent for nutrition! Just look at Grant Achatz, the world famous chef based in Chicago. I'd love to eat at his restaurant someday (but don't have a spare $1G just for the meal). I will be buying a pie at this store now and then. Nice to see some wonderful new local businesses coming into the area. I really hope it thrives!
bedrog
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.
I didnt make the obvious connection between the pie people and grant achatz, whose Alinea restaurant is considered one of the world's best. ( his own story is quite inspirational too, given that he rebounded amazingly from a case of tongue cancer that threatened his palate. All the more reason to say:" MMMM! Pie!"
Mich Res and Alum
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.
From little Armada, Michigan to nationwide!!! Very cool to see a local company like Achatz grow so fast. When you have products like their four-berry pie, though, it's little surprise.
bedrog
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 11:44 a.m.
A far more welcome addition than the new store in another article that features stoner paraphernalia and crotchless underwear.
bedrog
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 12:38 p.m.
ddot...you make a valid point. And it'd be healthier than a cigarette. But their double crust apple pie is just as addictive.
DDOT1962
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 12:12 p.m.
I don't know. The two stores' concepts might work well together. What could be better than a slice of fresh, delicious, post-coital pie? Especially if both those urges were preceded with an indulgence in a little recreational cannabis...