In the WDIV-TV Local 4 and AARP-hosted mayoral debate on June 16, candidate James Craig stated that Sister Pie, the bakery I founded in Detroit in 2012, “went out of business.”
That is an incorrect statement.
Indeed, Sister Pie has faced many challenges in the last five years due to multiple, intersecting factors. The business has struggled to balance revenue with wages and benefits, and the ability to thoughtfully grow and maintain our triple-bottom-line mission of “people, planet, profit” became especially difficult with the stress and demands of keeping the daily operations afloat. I know we’re not alone ― small businesses all over are hurting right now for many of the same reasons.
In May, we widely and carefully announced our plans for a summer interlude to rest, reconfigure the business model and envision a more sustainable future for Sister Pie in Detroit. Over the summer, we’ll offer baking classes, fulfill special orders, sell our baked goods at Eastern Market, and work on a vision for the future. By slowing down and taking stock of what we’ve learned so far, we are mindfully re-committing to our neighbors and great city for years to come.
Lisa Ludwinski
The writer is the founder and owner of Sister Pie
This story was updated to add a video.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit mayor candidate said my bakery, Sister Pie, is out of business. It isn’t. | Letter
Reporting by Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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