LONG BEACH, Calif. – You don't have to be a professional baker to know that baking is widely considered a stress-reliever. 

For Laurie Gray and her team at the Pie Bar in Long Beach, baking is a way of life. But now more than ever, it's become a comfort and a reprieve — something that's especially important considering the business environment they are currently working through. 

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“It’s been tough for restaurants because we’ve seen in-store business drop by at least 60 percent," Gray explained. 

Gray has owned the Pie Bar for the last four years, but the last two weeks have been amongst the toughest she's gone through as a local business owner. 

As one of hundreds of businesses now operating on a takeout or delivery-only model, Gray is trying to get creative in order to keep her sales up. 

Her priority has been to keep her doors open and bring in as much revenue as she can to support her staff. Thus far, she's been able to do so through a unique means.

Gray calls it "pie-ing it forward."

“I think we just all feel so helpless during this time," she said. "Everyone wants to help but nobody knows what to do. So, being able to have people buy pies and donate them so we can take them out to nurses and fire stations is great.”

Her campaign encourages customers to purchase pies upfront as a donation to first responders in the Long Beach area. 

 

Customers are rewarded for their generosity with a $20 gift card note, she's able to keep six bakers on staff while supporting a local delivery business called AlleyCat. And she's able to bring a smile to the faces of so many on the front lines. 

“People are surprised," Gray said with a smile. "They’re like, 'What, why are you bringing me pie?' They’re really happy and it brightens their day.”

Plus, by helping others, she's able to keep her mind off the worries and fears of what the future might hold. 

“Wanting to help the community, that helps me take my mind off the fear and anxiety, because everyone can just get stuck in that," she said. "It keeps me from being overwhelmed with that fear.”

To purchase pies from the Pie Bar or to participate in the "Pie-It Forward" campaign, visit thepiebarlongbeach.com.