The Pie Mamas, a made-from-scratch pie bakery, is hosting a grand opening this Saturday at 966 Fulton St. off Tulare Avenue, inside the T.W. Patterson building. Photo via The Pie Mamas

Downtown Fresno is about to get a little sweeter with the opening of a new pie shop.

The Pie Mamas, a made-from-scratch pie bakery, is hosting a grand opening this Saturday at 966 Fulton St. off Tulare street, inside the T.W. Patterson building.

Festivities go from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the first 100 guests through the door receiving a free mini pie.

Anna Covarrubias is The Pie Mamas founder and owner. A single mother of two kids, the Fresno native has a background as a claims specialist with the Social Security Administration and as a staffing consultant.

Covarrubias has been baking since she was a young girl, with much of her inspiration coming from her mother and a family full of cooks.

“That’s how we all love on each other—being around and baking or cooking,” she said. “That’s how it came into play.”

 

She started The Pie Mamas in November 2021, first selling to friends and family growing from there with more orders. Then came pop-up events and farmer’s markets. She would consistently sell out at Downtown Fresno’s ArtHop event.

Covarrubias began considering a physical shop as the business kept growing.

She said customers outside the Central Valley would call to order pies when they were traveling through the area, but because they have a pre-order model, it was difficult to accommodate every customer.

“Having a shop available will be really neat because it will provide an opportunity for anyone and everyone to come and try our pies or pick one up over the weekend,” Covarrubias said.

Covarrubias will be working at the shop herself, with help from family. She hopes to connect with local hiring programs to create additional jobs.

The ultimate goal is move to a larger space and continue to make wholesome products — and jobs.

“Downtown is our heart and soul,” she said. “And the community always comes down to meet us.”

Covarrubias and her family frequently travel out of town, always making sure to visit a bakery for a treat. She wanted to bring a “wholesome treat” to the Central Valley sourcing the diverse foods grown here.

 

She believes pies set themselves apart from other pastries, evoking a classic, warm feeling. They are especially popular around the holidays.

The Pie Mamas can make custom pies with writing on them for special events like birthdays.

Pie flavors include triple berry, which won first place and Best in Show at the Big Fresno Fair, classic apple, and seasonal pies including peach and strawberry.

She said the space is 500 square feet, but it’s really cozy, allowing individuals to pick up a pie or to sit down and enjoy a slice.

The store will be open on Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be a food truck at the grand opening event and a show of support from the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce.

“We are excited and can’t wait to see the people come out and show their love and support for us,” Covarrubias said.