Marie Takahashi, owner of Two Crows Craft Foods, woke up today filled with pride and gratitude as she marks the first anniversary of their pie shop inside Victoria's Public Market.
"I've ADHD and I've struggled to get medicated. To go from leaving my previous career to being able to build a business and to keep it going with all the struggles, I'm very proud of myself," Takahashi said. "And then absolute gratitude to my team here in the shop, chef Leah Moldowan, Victoria Wan and Sadie from the Tea Party."
Before opening Victoria Pie Shop a year ago, Takahashi and her son Hayden were crafting condiments inspired by a spoonful of mustard off a charcuterie board. This led to the creation of Two Crows Mustard in 2021. Soon after, they found an opportunity to expand, from creating different types of mustard spreads and preserves to offering full dishes, when Victoria Pie Co. was put up for sale in 2023.
"It's been terrifying to start a new business in the middle of an economic downturn and every month, I'm just praying we make it through," Takahashi added. "The whole reason I wanted to do the shop is just so that I could support my friends. We carry a line of products from other farmer's market house and we've open up our space to other local makers who need a space in the kitchen."
Looking back, she credits her customers as the biggest motivation that kept them going. Today, they've made something special for all their loyal customers - a Vegan Chocolate Cupcake with a beet root frosting and a Birthday Pie made with funfetti cake layered with white chocolate cream, whipped cream and sprinkles on top.
After a year of running Victoria Pie Shop, Takahashi now proudly calls herself a "pro-pie-tor and moutardier", and is looking forward to finding more opportunities to "Spread The Love" to the Victoria community by providing discounts and donations to the fire department and social services groups as well as partnering with new producers and farmers on their ingredients.
Two Crows Craft Foods' Victoria Pie Shop is located at 1701 Douglas Street.
