A full-size apple pie for $3.50 sounds like the kind of bargain that could make anyone stop and look twice. At one Ohio bakery outlet, deals like that have appeared alongside an impressive selection of fruit pies, cream pies, and holiday favorites.
The company has been making pies since 1945, supplying retailers and restaurants while also welcoming everyday shoppers to its own outlet. I like how that gives customers a chance to buy directly from a business with generations of baking experience.
The selection can change from day to day, and special prices do not always last. Recent promotions have included discounted apple and pecan pies, while the regular lineup features everything from cherry and blueberry to peanut butter cream.
I can’t imagine a better time to look for a bakery bargain than the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. With holiday orders already underway, this outlet offers a practical alternative to baking every dessert from scratch.
Grocery-Store Pies Without the Grocery-Store Markup
Plenty of shoppers in northeast Ohio already know these pies from the bakery aisle. The Gardner Pie Company Outlet Store lets you buy them closer to the source.
Gardner Pie Co. works as a wholesale bakery, so most of its pies head out to stores and restaurants. Some of them even land on menus at local diners, which says a lot about the trust behind the name.
The outlet is the fun side door to all that baking. You get to shop the same brand without hunting through a crowded supermarket.
Discounted pies are the big draw here. Some may have crusts that cracked, browned unevenly, or simply look less tidy than the store-ready versions.
That does not change the filling inside. A cherry pie with a wobbly edge still tastes like a cherry pie, and nobody at your dinner table is going to grade the crimping.
Prices sit well below what you might expect for a full-size pie. Exact amounts change, so plan on a pleasant surprise rather than a fixed number.
My tip is simple. Bring a sturdy box or a flat spot in your car, because balancing pies on a seat is a risky sport.
Think of it as a pie shop with a bargain bin attitude. Perfect looks are optional here, while good flavor is the whole point.
Fruit Pies Run the Show, and Apple Leads the Parade
Apple, peach, cherry, blueberry, and strawberry pies all show up at this bakery outlet. Fruit is clearly where Gardner feels most at home.
Apple tends to be the crowd favorite, and it is easy to see why. It works for a weeknight dessert, a church supper, or a slice eaten standing at the counter.
The company has offered versions like honeycrisp apple and Dutch apple. Peach and pumpkin also get plenty of love when the seasons turn.
Blueberry deserves a special shout. Gardner fills it generously, so you get real fruit in every bite instead of a thin layer of goo.
Here is a handy way to shop. Pick one classic you know your family loves, then grab one flavor you have never tried before.
That second pie becomes the wild card. Maybe it turns into your new favorite, or maybe it simply becomes tomorrow’s breakfast, which is also a fine outcome.
Fruit pies also travel well and hold up nicely for a day or two. That makes them smart choices for a potluck or an office treat.
Warm a slice in the oven for a few minutes if you like a crisp crust. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you have officially won dessert.
Cream Pie Fans, Get Here Before the Peanut Butter Vanishes
Peanut butter cream pie has a reputation for selling out fast at this outlet. Early birds tend to get the creamiest prize.
The cream pie lineup can also include coconut cream and butterscotch cream. These are rich, cool, and perfect for anyone who thinks fruit belongs in a smoothie instead.
Cream pies need a little more care than fruit pies. Keep them chilled and get them home quickly, especially on warm Ohio afternoons.
So when should you arrive? The doors open at 8 a.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and the case looks fullest in the morning.
Waiting until late afternoon can mean fewer choices. You might still score something tasty, but your dream flavor may already be riding home with someone else.
A cooler bag in the trunk is a smart move. It keeps whipped toppings from slumping during errands or a longer drive.
Cream pies also make great party desserts because they slice cleanly when cold. Run your knife under hot water between cuts for neater pieces.
Honestly, a peanut butter pie in the fridge feels like a secret weapon. Unexpected guests show up, and suddenly you look like the most prepared host in the county.
Sugar-Free Options Mean More People Get a Slice
Gardner offers no-sugar-added apple and cherry pies alongside its traditional flavors, giving shoppers additional choices for their holiday dessert tables.
That small detail makes a big difference at family gatherings. Everyone gets to share the same moment, and nobody ends up nibbling sadly on a cracker.
The outlet case also features vegetable-based pies like pumpkin. Sweet potato style flavors fit right into the southern pie tradition the company leans on.
Variety is what keeps shopping here interesting. One trip might bring a classic cherry, while the next turns up something you did not expect at all.
Availability does change from day to day. If you need a specific sugar-free flavor, calling ahead or ordering early is the safest plan.
Read labels if you have allergies or strict dietary needs. A bakery that makes many kinds of pies uses plenty of ingredients, so double-checking is always wise.
I love that a budget outlet still thinks about different eaters. It turns a bargain stop into a place where whole families can find something they enjoy.
Grab one regular pie and one no-sugar-added pie for your next holiday table. That way, every guest gets a real dessert instead of a polite excuse.
Fresh or Frozen? Your Freezer Gets a Vote
Fresh pies and frozen pies share the spotlight at this Ohio outlet. That choice is a quiet game changer for planners.
Fresh pies are ready for tonight’s dinner. Frozen ones can wait patiently in your freezer until a birthday, a snow day, or a random Tuesday craving.
Stocking up is a classic move here. Many shoppers leave with several pies because one never feels like quite enough.
Frozen pies are especially handy before big holidays. Buy early, stash them away, and skip the last-minute scramble when everyone else is shopping.
Follow the baking directions closely for the best crust. Ovens vary, so peek at the pie near the end of the time and look for golden edges.
A baking sheet underneath helps catch drips from juicy fruit fillings. Your oven floor will be grateful, and so will whoever cleans it.
Let baked fruit pies cool before slicing. That gives the filling time to set, so you get neat wedges instead of a delicious puddle.
Having a frozen pie on standby feels like insurance for life. Surprise company, a bad day, or a good report card all count as fair reasons to bake one.
Pi Day Brings a Line Out the Door at 8 a.m.
March 14 means something special in this parking lot. Gardner has offered Pi Day promotions in the past, although customers should check the company’s announcements before expecting any particular deal in a future season.
That clever math joke draws a big crowd. Lines have stretched well past 50 people right at opening time.
Is it worth the wait? For pie lovers who enjoy a good deal and a festive mood, the answer is usually a cheerful yes.
Dress for the weather if you plan to go. March in northeast Ohio can be chilly, rainy, or both, sometimes within the same hour.
Arrive early and bring patience. Chatting with fellow pie fans in line can be part of the fun, and the smell of victory waits inside.
Thanksgiving is another busy season for the outlet. Many families count on Gardner pies so they can focus on the turkey and side dishes instead.
Watch the company’s social media for holiday hours and special sales. Plans can shift year to year, so checking first saves a wasted trip.
A math holiday that ends with pie is a rare win for students everywhere. Even folks who dreaded geometry class can get behind this kind of circle.
Plan Your Run Around These Early-Bird Hours
You will find the outlet at 191 Logan Pkwy, Akron, OH 44319. It sits in the Portage Lakes area on the south side of town.
The building feels modern and convenient. It is also close to the highway, which makes a quick pie run easy to squeeze into a busy day.
Hours lean toward the morning. The store opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m.
Monday through Friday.
Saturday is shorter, running from 8 a.m. until noon. Sunday is closed, so do not plan a lazy Sunday pie trip here.
The storefront is small, so the line can move outside on busy days. Patience helps, and so does knowing what you want before you reach the counter.
Some families drive more than an hour just to shop here. That tells you this is not only a neighborhood stop but a true regional favorite.
Ordering ahead is smart for big holidays or large gatherings. It locks in your flavors before the case starts emptying.
Bring a plan, a cooler, and maybe a friend to hold the pies. Few errands end as sweetly as this one.
Friendly Faces Behind the Counter Seal the Deal
Staff friendliness ranks right up there with the pies themselves at this outlet. The team knows the products and helps shoppers choose with confidence.
Not sure which flavor fits your crowd? Ask, and you can get real guidance instead of a shrug.
That knowledge matters when the case is full of choices. A quick tip can steer you toward a fruit pie for a picnic or a cream pie for a fancy dinner.
Gardner also shows care beyond the counter. The company has followed up on quality concerns with customers, which builds trust in a brand sold across many stores.
Supporting a local Akron bakery adds another layer of good feeling. Your dessert money stays close to home and helps a hometown company keep baking.
Many Ohio families have shopped Gardner for generations. Some remember an older Barberton location, long before the current Portage Lakes store opened.
Pies also make thoughtful gifts. Pick up a few extra for neighbors, friends, or anyone who could use a sweet surprise this week.
A good bakery leaves you with more than a full box. It leaves you plotting your next visit before the first slice is even gone.
