To the editor:
My family moved to Marblehead with absolutely no knowledge of its historical character. We simply sought a home close to Landmark Academy so our daughter Charlotte, newly diagnosed with dyslexia, could drive herself to school once she was accepted off the waitlist. What we found is a tiny hamlet that welcomed us with open arms. We also found an outstanding public high school that served her well, addressing her learning differences while also allowing space for her favorite activity, photography. She is now a rising junior at NYU.
As an empty nester, I made a career shift. In 2025, I launched Like Mom Made Marblehead focused on what I love to do and aligned with my natural skills, baking and cooking. In my first year there was a lot to learn about licensing and business. My husband and “chief cherry pitter” graduated from Harvard Business School and provided the necessary support for me to get started. We soft launched during the end of fall 2025 season at Marblehead’s Farmers Market. Although my family and friends have told me for decades how much they loved my pies, I was still genuinely surprised to see that strangers loved them, too.
I’ve found a licensed kitchen (and cooking “home”) in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post on West Shore Drive.
So in a tribute to my father’s service in WWII, our pies support those who served. To kick off spring of 2026, I was a visible vendor at the Marblehead Festival of Arts champagne reception in early July. We were off and running and gave away not only 200-mini pies that week but all our stock of full size pies! After a few weeks at this summer’s Marblehead Farmers Market, we added multiple sizes for the pies, fruit jams and infused vinegars. I am proud that I use every part of the local organic produce I source. I was taught by my parents of the Depression how to cook and conserve.
Starting a new business is never easy. Like Mom Made Marblehead isn’t yet profitable, yet. But I want to offer some shout-outs to Marbleheaders who have helped me.
● Suzanne at the VFW who worked for months to get me the opportunity to present my business concept to the commander of the VFW (aka Ronnyi). Now Ronny has turned into a father figure as he worries when I arrive at their commercial kitchen later than expected.
● I also want to thank Maria of Maria’s Catering and the Driftwood who took me to Chelsea Produce Market to increase the quality of my produce while decreasing my costs. Steve at the Farmers Market shares my pies and specials via social media and is a coach to all of the vendors.
I have found that people in small towns support one another without expectations. There are folks who stop by my stall, not only to see what I’m sampling, but also to tell me that they referred a friend who got six midis for an event. It’s the lovely woman who brought her neighbor over to say “forget birthday cake, serve this pie on Sunday at the party!”
My very favorite story is the woman who told me she thought I was crazy to charge $50 for a pie so she bought a 5-inch one for $15. Then she came back the following week to buy a full size pie — noting the 5” was the best thing she’s ever eaten. Repeat customers and word of mouth are the only ways we have grown so quickly.
Small businesses, in small towns like Marblehead, employ people. I hired five Marblehead High School students this summer who are all now expert pie bakers. When they return to school in the fall, I’ll be looking to hire new folks so if you are interested in working for a woman-owned, local small business and, most importantly, learning how to make pies, please stop by at the Marblehead Farmers Market on Saturdays to say hello as well as taste what we’re baking. I’m happy to share my culinary history and experience with all of my new neighbors.
By moving to Marblehead, I have accidentally found a wonderful and kind community of people willing to work with and help me as I turn my personal passion into a small business.
Thanks for making Marblehead my new hometown.
Kristin duBayHorton
Orne Street
Owner, baker, mom
Like Mom Made Marblehead
