It's been a dream for Stanka and Chris Oben to operate their own retail business and this coming Saturday, June 29, they will open the doors to the Lime and Moon Pie Company at the Bowen Island Marina (right beside the Bowen Island Sea Kayaking shop).
"We will be open at 10 a.m. At noon, we will have a pie cutting ceremony," Stanka said. She explained that they plan to carry about six sweet and two or three savoury pies, as well as take special orders. "We'll be making lemon meringue pies but they will not be available at the counter every day," she added. Also available will be European pastries like strudels that reflect Stanka's Slovakian heritage.
"I'm also offering home-made granola that has become quite famous on Bowen Island. We'll have pancake and waffle mixes and also offer gluten-free options." she said.
Another important part of the new business is the emphasis on using local ingredients. "It's all organic and from local farms," Stanka said. "What we can't find on Bowen Island, we get from farms in B.C."
Stanka and Chris moved to Bowen Island two years ago but have had the plan of opening their own business for longer than that. They have sold their goods at markets and through special orders. At the pier, they plan to open early to offer coffee and pastries to commuters. Then they'll cater to the lunch time crowd with quiches and savoury pies. In the afternoon, they will possibly take a break before opening late.
"Chris and I, we are always looking for places to go on a date, so we thought, 'why not sit on the pier and enjoy a coffee and a piece of pie?'" Stanka explained, adding that they will have "nice cappuccinos."
