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The Oprah Effect Lifts Pie Business

By DEIDRE WOOLLARD, AOL SMALL BUSINESS
Posted: 2009-08-21 16:58:53
Filed Under: Small Business, Management
Oprah Winfrey
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Talk about a great success story-- a few months ago I heard that an old friend of mine was opening a pie shop that continued a tradition started over thirty years ago. Now, just five months into the business, Centerville Pie Company in Centerville, Massachusetts has received national attention because of the famous Oprah effect.

Oprah Winfrey was on Cape Cod last week for Eunice Kennedy Shriver's funeral. Kristin Broadley, owner of the Centerville Pie Co., delivered some pies to Winfrey, Gayle King and their entourage at their hotel in Hyannis. After tasting the pies, Winfrey called Broadley directly and later placed an order for more than 20 pies to be delivered to Barnstable Municipal Airport before Winfrey's plane departed on Friday.

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    The story soon became national news including a little bit of a "pie-gate" scandal as no one was sure if Oprah really had ordered more pies. Gayle King set the record straight on her radio show and a pie frenzy was born. Since then business has been booming with everyone wanting to taste the pies that captured Oprah's heart. There is talk of future Oprah publicity including possibly a story in O, The Oprah magazine. Meanwhile the business is scrambling to fill orders and find ways to start shipping pies to people around the country who want to try one. The business is so new they haven't even started taking credit cards yet.

    How did a young business make such a big splash so quickly? Part of it was just luck, being able to get to Oprah at a time when she was accessible, showing up in a small town with little notice. But it's also about having a great product.

    Years ago, I worked with one of the owners of the Centerville Pie Company when we made pies together at the old Centerville Pastry Shop, a business which closed down many years ago. At the Centerville Pastry Shop, we had a huge following of loyal customers for the chicken and fruit pies. We sold both cooked pies and uncooked pies that were frozen so that the customer could take them home and get the full pie cooking experience without the work of baking the pie. The chicken pie was particularly popular. It used no vegetables or potatoes, just fresh chicken and gravy inside a homemade crust. It is the updated version of this pie that captured Oprah and Gayle's attention.

    My former co-worker, Laurie Bowen kept the tradition of making great pies alive during her years in the restaurant business and teamed up with Kristen Broadley who also dreamed of owning a restaurant. When a restaurant location on busy Route 28 became available the pair sprung into action creating a shop that -- like the old restaurant Bowen worked in many years ago -- focuses on homemade pies baked using traditional recipes. No gimmicks, no magic, just good food prepared in a way that resembles classic home cooking.

    While food businesses aren't recession proof, small businesses focusing on comfort foods at reasonable prices are finding their place. And a little love from Oprah certainly helps.

    2009-07-31 13:36:07
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    ssola26840 09:31:31 PM Nov 07 2009

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    everyone has one......An Oppinion, like an ass hole....Who care WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT OPRAH AND MICHAEL JACKSON ETC.... U R JUST JEALOUS......STOP JUDGING PEOPLE.......

    tb00000020207854 06:45:19 AM Oct 15 2009

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    START YOUR OWN HOMEBASED FLORIST BUSINESS - http://homebasedflorist.blogspot.com

    jokerdano 01:30:50 PM Oct 01 2009

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    REMEMBER HOW OPRAH WAS EATING IN THE MOVIE THE COLOR PURPLE. I COULD SEE HER EATING 20 PIES AT ONE TIME. BUT RUN WHEN SHE HAS TO FART.

    jokerdano 01:22:35 PM Oct 01 2009

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    OPRAH BACKS OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT AND OBAMA WINS. OPRAH SAYS THESE PIES ARE GREAT NOW THESE PEOPLE THAT OWN THIS PIE SHOP ARE MILLIONAIRES. OPRAH AND OBAMA WANTS THE OLYMPICS CHICAGO. THE OLYMPICS WILL BE IN CHICAGO. HOW CAN AN UGLY FAT AZZ RACIST BLACK WOMAN GAIN THIS MUCH POWER. I DON'T CARE FOR OPRAH BUT I HAVE TO SAY WHAT EVER THIS WOMAN HAS I WISH I HAD IT.

    iwantlegalcash 02:40:57 PM Sep 25 2009

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    Finally, Make Real Mega (( CASH )) the Fast, Easy, and Legitimate Way. Start Earning (100% Live Pay Plus) Thousands Within 15 Minutes Guaranteed! Instant Approval and Try The FREE Secure Online Demo PLAY and Test Your Skills Todayby visiting the site-> http://www.MYTURBODOLLARS.com

    sshendrix 04:33:33 PM Sep 13 2009

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    Oprah...please help our children! Discovery Toys needs your help to spead the word about high quality, affordable, safe, non-violent, educational toys, books and games for kids of all ages. www.discoverytoys.com

    jokerdano 01:10:34 AM Sep 08 2009

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    OPRAH WITH HER MONEY AND POWER WHY DOESN'T SHE HAVE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL THE POOR BLACK PEOPLE. BECAUSE SHE HATES POOR BLACK PEOPLE.

    dakosport 10:17:45 AM Sep 07 2009

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    what a lard ass

    labbott123 02:03:00 PM Sep 04 2009

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    In order to replace the late Michael Jackson, if scientists gave pedophile monkeys singing lessons there’s be thousands of Michael Jacksons running around sleeping with little boys.

    adamantthe1st21 01:48:48 AM Sep 03 2009

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    i cant believe this country has so many sheep..... disgusting ! h

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