Schedule Me In...

You don't have to know Jeanne or I too well or for too long to realize that we both tend to fly by the seat of our pants.  Occasionally, I get an email from someone who asks for a copy of our business plan because they are writing a research paper or are interested in opening their own bakery and uh.....hahahahahhaha.  If I had one, I would totally share it.  That said, neither of us operate that way and so the entire plan behind PJP is that there is no plan.  We basically let our creativity drive us and learn as we go, trying to adjust where needed.  (Something tells me this is probably not how Martha Stewart drew up her plans for her Martha Stewart Living empire.)

I mentioned in Monday's blog that we have started to look at the data behind our daily sales.  (Even typing that sentence feels odd...such a departure from the norm for us both).   After reviewing all of the information, we started to seriously discuss an issue that has been nagging at us for the past month:  should we have a consistent daily pie schedule?  In short, if you love Key Lime pie, would it help to know that you can get one exclusively on Thursdays?  Or for you Sour Cream Cherry fans, would you appreciate knowing that Wednesday is your day?

It sounds awesome...but here is a bit that went through our minds when discussing:  as mentioned above, we aren't really schedule people at all...so could we make a routine and follow the routine?  If we couldn't, is that worse than not even having a baking schedule?  And does committing to a baking schedule take away from some of the creativity and artistry that comes with baking?

After careful consideration of the above factors, we have decided the benefits of a regular baking schedule outweighs the risks.  This journey we are on is meant to challenge us and change us in ways we never anticipated, so we might as well start here.  We are going to try a schedule for the next eight weeks (through the Labor Day holiday) and see how we do and seek your feedback on whether you appreciate the schedule.  If all goes well, we will reset after Labor Day to include fall pies - including pumpkin - on daily rotation.

So, get your pencils ready...here you go (and I'll ask Behind-The-Scenes-Tech-Guru Jason to post it to the website as well):

Available Daily

  • American Apple
  • Dutch Apple
  • Cherry
  • Peach Praline
  • Chocolate Bourbon Pecan
  • French Silk
  • Coconut Cream
  • Chocolate Cream
  • Lemon Cream
  • Strawberry Rhubarb
  • Southern Pecan
  • Mixed Berry
  • Gooseberry
  • German Chocolate

And here are the day of the week special varieties:

Tuesday

  • Blueberry
  • Coconut Custard
  • Almond Rum Raspberry

Wednesday

  • Rhubarb
  • Sour Cream Cherry
  • Chocolate Banana

Thursday

  • Peanut Butter
  • Key Lime
  • Peach

Friday

  • Banana Cream
  • Blackberry
  • Pumpkin Chiffon

PS:  Remember too that having a set baking schedule doesn't preclude your ability to place a custom order any time you like...we are always happy to do any pie on any day of the week for you on order if you call us the day before you need it...in fact, that is the very best way to guarantee that what you need will be available.

PPS: We didn't include Saturday because we wanted some flexibility for the end of the week based on our supplies.  And our sanity.  And because Rome wasn't built in a day.

PPPS:  Can you have a post post post script?  I don't even know.  Leave any thoughts you have about the new schedule in the comments or stop by the store and let us know.

Peggy Jean's Blogpies@pjpies.com3 Comments