After suffering a major setback this year when the building where they launched both businesses was sold and began undergoing major renovations, Angela and Charlie Lambert moved both Southern Pies & Bake Shop Cafe and Flooring Solutions to their new location at 1116 and 1118 E. Broadway, Maryville.
“We were already outgrowing our downtown space,” explained Angela. Initially, she was not sure where they would find a new space to reopen the cafe, using her mobile kitchen to do pop-up events and borrowing Richy Kreme Donut’s kitchen from time to time.
“We prayed for God to make a way for us to be beside each other,” Charlie said. “It was all one big building when we got it.”
The entrepreneur couple divided the 8,000 square foot building to accomodate both the Cafe and the Flooring companies.
“The best part is that now we have room to grow and plenty of parking,” Charlie said, pointing out the cafe will ultimately be able to seat 60 people at a time.
The Cafe is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10am until 4pm, serving lunch and full-service bakery.
But the move has also had some additional challenges.
“Our biggest hurdle right now is the grease trap,” Angela said. Installing the required equipment can cost as much as $20,000.
“We don’t go into debt, so this will take a while,” Charlie said.
In the meantime, Angela uses her mobile kitchen unit to prepare food and will spend the next year slowing adding seating and kitchen capacity to the new location as funds become available.
The Flooring Solutions side of the business is currently being renovated and Charlie said they expect to reopen their storefront by the end of January.
