Kirk C. Watkins, Peak to Peak. As the state lockdown has proceeded into its second month, residents of the Peak to Peak area have had to restructure their businesses and adapt their services in order to adequately serve their neighbors and surrounding communities. Karen DeVincenzo, known across Northern Colorado as “The Pie Lady,” has been one of those people that has had to make adjustments to her business in this unprecedented time. 

When the lockdown occurred her son, Max DeVincenzo, a locally well-known Music Producer, Drummer, Film Composer and Entrepreneur (maxdevincenzomusic.com) moved back home from Boulder to isolate with family. Her husband, Sal DeVincenzo, a respected photographer, also had to halt many of his business activities in order to follow the home isolation order. Mrs. DeVincenzo recently took some of her time to answer some questions about the ways she and her family have responded to the crisis. 

The Mountain-Ear: How has your family been handling this current situation and have there been any difficult adjustments in particular?

KD: Most of the adjustments we faced were typical, just like everybody else. But when Boulder “locked down”, Max decided to move out of his studio apartment with its shared kitchen, back up here with us. It was like coming full circle as he reclaimed his old bedroom and set up his music studio where it had been years ago. We all work around each other pretty well, coming together for cooking, relaxing and even sitting around the table together, working on our individual projects. 

The Mountain-Ear: How has your business been affected, and how has your family’s businesses been affected?

KD: My pie business actually increased with stay-at-home orders once I decided to do doorstep deliveries. Sal’s scheduled photography events naturally were cancelled or postponed until next year. Bar Mitzvahs, weddings and fundraising events for the non-profit he works for were unable to take place with social distancing. Max has been teaching his music students remotely and has continued most of his work that way. He has barely skipped a beat. 

The Mountain-Ear: Is there anybody that you have seen that you have had a particular interaction with due to the Coronavirus or its effects? How are Sal and Max dealing? Are you having warm family bonding or something else?

KD: We haven’t had much interaction with anybody outside of our little circle. Trips to town have been minimal, we venture out only for necessities like food. We do get out for walks every day; the dogs make sure that happens. 

The Mountain-Ear: What kind of pies are you serving, do you deliver, and how is that working out?

KD: My pie flavors change from time to time, but some are constant, like Key Lime, Triple Berry, Bourbon Pecan and some cream pies. When I can find rhubarb, Strawberry-Rhubarb is available. For Mother’s Day weekend I offered a special flavor: Fresh Strawberry Ganache that was very popular. Pies are delivered to Boulder, Jamestown, and Nederland areas two days a week. 

The Mountain-Ear: How long have you been here and how long have you served pies? What made you decide to pursue this?

KD: Originally from a small rural town in Massachusetts, I did my fair share of bouncing around the country before I moved to Colorado in 1981 and have remained here ever since. Sal and I have lived in Bar-K for 28 years, Max for his entire 25 years except for college at Berklee (College of Music) in Boston and the last three years when he moved to Boulder. 

I’ve enjoyed baking my entire life, ever since my mom would sit me on the counter to watch her mix up her own cake batter and of course let me lick the spoon after. She and a friend of hers made pies together in the kitchen of our family restaurant and I think that was my first lesson in pie baking, one that has stuck with me ever since. 

Leona’s voice still echoes: ‘roll from the center, out, and go around the dough like a clock.’ 

Once I got my cottage food industry training certificate, I started to reach out and sell pies on a small scale. Then when COVID had us all on stay-at-home orders, I jumped onto the idea of delivering pies to peoples’ doorsteps and have been bringing people pie consistently every week. The flavors change from time to time and can be seen and ordered through this link: https://linktr.ee/pieladypies. Thanks to John Lehndorff for including me on his list of “doorstep delivery” bakeries he published in the 5280 Magazine in April 2020, Where You Can Order Bread and Sweets For Delivery During the COVID-19 Shutdown. From baguettes and fruit-filled pies to pain au chocolat, these bake shops will bring the comfort straight to you.

DeVincenzo has proven to be a hidden gem in the Jamestown community and beyond. Karen “The Pie Lady’s” accolades can be found in multiple media sources such as KGNU, 5280 Magazine, and the Boulder Daily Camera. 

Many times, exceptional achievement have been highlighted through crises, and this is why we are choosing to shine a light on those that serve our neighbors and communities with their unique abilities. Many thanks to Karen DeVincenzo for providing her of gift of delectable comfort food during this time. 

Check out her business directory listing at https://themtnear.com/business-directory/name/the-pie-lady/ , her website at www.pieladypies.com or give her a call at 303-817-2548  for more info!

(Originally published in the May 14, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)