Moorestown's Pie Lady Praised For 'Uplifting Outdoor Dining'

MOORESTOWN, NJ — As the coronavirus pandemic drags on and the number of people permitted to attend indoor gatherings continues to shrink, Moorestown Council recently approved the extension of outdoor dining in the township.

But as the coming winter leads to a drop in temperatures, some restaurant owners are understandably concerned about having their customers dine outside.

One place receiving praise for its outdoor dining is the Pie Lady Café at 9 East Main Street in Moorestown. One resident described them as “an uplifting outdoor local place during the pandemic,” in nominating the café as a Moorestown Business of the Year.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

“We focus on our customers’ experience and comfort,” owner Christine McHale said. “We have an amazing staff that tries to create a sense of normalcy in our current world. We make them feel like family.”

The Pie Lady Café has been part of Moorestown life for the last 12 years, and has been there through all the tough times. McHale opened her business in 2008 during a recession.

In the beginning, McHale offered up more than 100 pies daily, as well as coffee, scones, muffins, Quiché and cold drinks. It shared a porch with a dental office. Read more here: Moorestown’s Pie Lady Rolls Out Perfection

When the dental office moved, the Pie Lady was able to expand her business and add breakfast and lunch. They expanded their current business and added a well-known local chef.

“We were being creative with the space we had,” McHale said. “The expanded kitchen has been an advantage for getting new business.”

The Pie Lady is now attracting more diverse crowds, and McHale is grateful for all the faces, both new and old.

“I’d like to thank all my customers for their support of our pie and scone business during our expansion,” McHale said. “They were always there for us, even before we expanded to offer breakfast and lunch.”

She is also grateful for Chef Edgar Gamboa, who serves up breakfast all day and lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday.

Gamboa trained under Chef Mirko Loeffler and worked at other fine dining establishments in the area.

They keep the health of their customers in mind, offering gluten-free alternatives and gluten-free sensitive areas. This means they make their gluten free offerings in completely different toasters and ovens from their other meals.

Mental health is important, too, and it seems Moorestown residents can get their peace of mind at their local café.

“People tell me, ‘I came in for lunch and came away forgetting where I was,’” McHale said.