PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The streets and shops of Philadelphia on Wednesday were packed with people doing last-minute shopping for dinner on Thanksgiving Day. A big portion of that activity is more about what follows the meal.
Thanksgiving dinner is not complete without dessert. And a visit to Reading Terminal Market could convince anyone that every table in the city will have a cake or pie from one of their many bakeries.
Irvan Solstice at Beiler’s Bakery says they sell probably 4,000 or 5,000 desserts — “somewhere in that area” — for the big day. Their most popular Thanksgiving sweets are apple pies and pumpkin pies.
“Everybody comes up, and that’s what they want. Apple pie. Pumpkin pie,” Solstice says. There will definitely be a pumpkin pie on his table, he adds.
The days before Thanksgiving are so busy, Beiler’s sets up shop on the sidewalk outside, as well.
“It’s been crazy. Every Thanksgiving we set up out here and try to get the overflow. It’s a lot of fun,” he says. Plus, it gets him out into the fresh air away from the craziness inside.
Love and legacy in every bite
Sweet T’s Bakery is known for their sweet potato pie.
“That’s what we specialize in,” says co-owner Tia El. “We have the graham cracker crust and the regular crust as well. Can’t keep enough of them.”
They sell thousands of pies for Thanksgiving, she says.
“I get excited about it. Me and my husband always say that, for our bakery, Thanksgiving time is like the Super Bowl for us.”
But she’s not just selling pies. There’s something special in the mix for her and her family.
“I get a joy in seeing everybody so excited about getting a sweet potato pie, because my recipe comes from my grandmother. So I feel like my grandma’s legacy is still living on and it makes me happy.”
From classic to kooky
Thanksgiving is also a sweet time for Flying Monkey Bakery. The Thanksgiving rush is keeping them busy, and they have a little something for everyone’s post-turkey sweet tooth.
“We are selling here whoopie pies, cupcakes, cakes, pies — and butter cake, my personal favorite,” says Brett Hopkins.
“Weekdays, you get anywhere between 100 to 200 customers. We’re about quadruple for a normal business day.”
But even though it’s busy, Hopkins says, he’s happy to help people find the sweet finish they need after dinner.