Homemade pies come home to Lincoln
When Craig and Mary Ann Stertz of Lincoln purchased Washington, KS based MarCon Pies, they hit a community development trifecta. Relocating the bakery brings a new business to the community. Renovating an existing building in the historic downtown district helps fulfill a local desire to repopulate downtown businesses. And the fact this business was named one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas Commerce adds a little star quality.
MarCon is a wholesale bakery, catering to the needs of eating establishments, country stores, markets, etc. across the state. Their pies are made the old-fashioned way, with fillings mixed and crusts crimped by hand. The pies are made fresh and delivered to the company’s business partners.
MarCon Pies was named for its founders, Marilyn Hanshaw and Connie Allen, who, more than 30 years ago, baked pies in their kitchens for their hometown of Washington, KS. Eventually the ladies’ outgrew their home kitchens and opened a full-time business of making and distributing homemade pies. MarCon ceased operations in Washington in 2018.
MarCon’s first deliveries from the Lincoln location were made earlier this month to select partners in Lindsborg, Little River, Abilene, Marion, Salina, Inman, Buhler and Hutchinson. Gradually production will ramp up, more communities will be served, and quality fresh pies will be available in eateries throughout the state.
This is not the first business the Stertz’ have brought to Lincoln’s downtown business district. Purchasing a circa 1906 vacant commercial building on West Lincoln Ave., the couple completed a full renovation on the building, creating a business space on the main floor which is currently the home of Main Street Coffee and Things. Upstairs the couple created airbnb lodging complete with a full kitchen, laundry facilities and the capacity to sleep five people comfortably. Mainstreet Loft can be booked on-line at www. airbnb.com. To learn more about MarCon Pies, visit their website at www.marconpies.com, or on Facebook.
MarCon Pies can be purchased locally, by the slice or by the pie, at Lincoln Grocery, Main Street Coffee & Things, and Village Lines.
By Jyll Phillips, for the Lincoln Sentinel-Republican
Downtown Lincoln, KS is now the home of the famous MarCon pies previously made in Washington, KS.
