Pie lovers and bargain hunters both will find a reason to visit downtown Latrobe on Wednesday for the business district’s final Shop Hop of the year.
During the Fall Fest Pie Walk, slated for 4 to 7 p.m., visitors stopping at participating downtown merchants will have the opportunity to sample about a dozen different flavors of pie while also supporting local businesses.
The third annual pie walk is a ticketed event for the first time this year in an effort to improve and expand the monthly themed Shop Hops.
Tickets cost $5 and can be purchased in advance by visiting latrobepiewalk.eventbrite.com or the Latrobe Shop Hop Nights Facebook page.
Ticket holders should begin their visit at the Shop Hop booth in Latrobe’s downtown parklet, at Main and Ligonier streets. There, between 3:30 and 6 p.m., they’ll receive a stamp to indicate their participation.
Walk-up, cash-only ticket purchases also will be available.
There is a limit of one piece of pie per person at each participating location.
“We are looking forward to getting back to our traditional pie walk style this year with having pie served at each location,” said Latrobe Shop Hop Night founder and coordinator Emily Pasqualino. “This fundraiser will allow us to further enhance our future Shop Hop nights.”
Last year, because of covid-19 restrictions, pies were raffled off instead of being served at the event.
Until this year, the pies were supplied by Latrobe’s Dainty Pastry Shoppe. The 74-year-old business is recovering from an Aug. 12 fire that heavily damaged its Depot Street building.
“We look forward to having them back next year,” said Pasqualino.
Participants who check in at the Latrobe Art Center, also at Ligonier and Main, will discover two pie choices: bumbleberry, served by the art center, and Dutch apple, offered at Masterspieces, an array of hand-lettered designs and other items displayed inside the center by artist Courtney Masters.
Other participating businesses and their pie offerings include:
• 512 Coffee & Ice Cream, coconut cream
• Blended & Brewed, peanut butter
• Chicoras, pumpkin
• Eclectique, cherry
• Graydog Comics & Toys, lemon meringue
• Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, blueberry
• Ground Zero Pittsburgh martial arts studio, peach
• H & S Furniture and Lampshades, cheesecake
• Rose Style Shoppe, apple
• Terri’s Gourmet Sweet Treats, chocolate
After taking a break for the holidays, the Shop Hop nights are scheduled to return beginning on Feb. 2, with the Valentine-themed “One Sweet Night Out.”
For more information about the pie walk and other Shop Hop events, email latrobeshophopnights@gmail.com or call the Latrobe Art Center at 724-537-7011.
