Hershberger's Fine Foods Turns Out The Tastiest Fry Pies In Small Town Ohio
By Sarah McCosham|Published April 04, 2024
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
There are some pleasures in life that are simply incomparable: spotting a rainbow after a storm or watching the first snowflakes of the season. A quick text from a friend or latte art on your morning brew. A delicious dinner out, or sweet pastry to start your day — especially if it’s a fry pie from a certain little bakery/grocery in Hicksville, Ohio. I’m talking about Hershberger’s Fine Foods, a beloved small-town bakery that’s known among locals for the tastiest fry pies in Ohio… and perhaps anywhere. What this tiny-but-mighty little bakeshop does it does exceptionally: feeding everyone who walks into the store delicious, soul-satisfying, made-with-love sandwiches, pastries, and, of course, fry pies.
Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.
There's something undeniably special about a fresh-baked treat from a local bakery that's truly one of life's greatest simple pleasures.
Whether you're a fan of flaky croissants, melt-in-your-mouth donuts, or an old-school slice of pie, magic happens when real hands mix, knead, and bake a few simple ingredients in a kitchen.
This magic is on the menu every day at Hershberger's Fine Foods, a lovely little dairy, deli, bakery, and grocer in Hicksville, Ohio.
Hershberger's Fine Foods was established in 2018 after Susan Hershberger and her tiny-but-mighty team of bakers found themself in hot demand for their handmade fry pies.
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"It's a long story [...] growing up we made fry pies for family and friends and then turned it into a business to share our delicious product with others," she says.
The evolution from pie shop to brick-and-mortar business was natural, Hershberger says. "Through distributing the fry pies we also started a storefront and then grew that into a small grocery that is still growing today."
By "today," Hershberger is referring to her charming little business at 304 Wendell Ave. in
Hicksville, Ohio. The store was immediately embraced by locals, filling a fry-pie-sized "void" in town. And, of course, the need for a town grocery.
Hershberger’s serves its community in more ways than one. "We employ people from the community," Susan says, adding that the shop loves to supply pies to fundraising events for local schools and organizations, sometimes making thousands and thousands of fry pies for these events!
The fry pies are the irrefutable star of the show at Hershberger’s. "Our fried pies are a hand made product that melts in your mouth and people come from hours away to get these!" Susan explains.
Depending on the season, you'll find everything from pumpkin-spiced and strawberry cheesecake fry pies to classic pie flavors like chocolate and pecan.
Feeling a bit more savory? Hershberger's Fine Foods can satisfy that craving, too, says Susan. "We have a cheese manufacturing plant, Tri State Cheese, that was in business first and we sell the many varieties of delicious cheese that is produced there."
This charming corner store also has a deli case with locally sourced dairy and proteins, a refrigerated section offering a rainbow of regional produce, aisles of jarred goods such as artisan honeys and jams, and even non-perishables like pastas and sauces.
In just a few short years, Hershberger's Fine Foods has become a community cornerstone beloved by all who walk through its doors... and sample the bakery's perfect little pies. Susan loves seeing return customers and getting to know the community, though she's very humble when it comes to Hershberger’s success.
"Success to us is to treat our customers as we would like to be treated and along with that they bring success by keeping on coming to our store and supporting us," she says. "We attribute our success to hard work and want to give God the glory for blessing us!"
Many thanks to Susan Hershberger for sharing the story of this wonderful Ohio business. Learn more about Hershberger’s Fine Foods and its delectable fried pies at its Facebook page or stop by in person at 304 Wendell Ave, Hicksville, OH, 43526.
Hershberger’s Fine Foods is just one of the many beloved small businesses in Ohio; please nominate your favorite attractions and businesses for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Only In Ohio article.
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