Nancy Goemans is the founder and co-owner of Pie Junkie, a Calgary artisan pie shop she established in 2015. Prior to launching the business, she spent more than 25 years running a boutique marketing and design agency focused on the hospitality and food industries—building brands, developing menus, styling cookbooks, and shaping food-centric experiences.
The inspiration for Pie Junkie was deeply personal. Nancy’s daughter, Taya, who lives with Williams syndrome, loved baking pies with her grandmother. After Nancy’s mother passed away, Taya asked, “Who will make pie with me now?” Nancy replied, “I will,” to which Taya responded that she wanted to make pie for a living. That exchange sparked Nancy’s mission to create a space where exceptional pies would be crafted by hand and where all people—particularly those facing employment barriers—would be welcomed.
Toward the end of Pie Junkie’s inaugural year, Nancy partnered with her longtime friend Jo-Anne Caza, who brought financial and operational expertise to complement Nancy’s creative vision. Together, they have grown Pie Junkie from a single storefront into five Calgary locations, while preserving the brand’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and community.
Under Nancy and Joanne’s leadership, Pie Junkie has become celebrated for its all-butter crusts, scratch-made fillings, seasonal menus, ethical sourcing, sustainable practices, and dedication to social impact.
The commitment to superior quality is evident in every single offering, transforming the artisan pie shop into a beloved local institution focused on creating memorable food experiences. The spectacular selection features a delicious variety of both sweet and savoury pies, ensuring there is a perfect slice of joy for any occasion or craving. Pie Junkie’s delightful menu highlights handcrafted items ranging from full-sized Celebration Pies, ideal for marking significant milestones, to convenient, perfectly portioned TV Dinners. Patrons frequently indulge in the richly flavoured Pot Pies, such as the classic Aussie Beef, the hearty Steak & Mushroom, or the sophisticated Steak, Stout & Gruyere.
These expertly crafted savoury sensations are a comforting spirit embodied in a flaky puff pastry crust. The famous family recipes are always made from scratch and filled with love, bringing time and comfort back into modern family tradition. During the holiday season, customers enthusiastically order hand-made sweet and savoury options, like the deeply flavourful Tourtière or the truly impressive Mushroom Wellington, a show-stopping centrepiece featuring a medley of tender mushrooms, garlic, and herbs with a rich duxelles filling encased in delicate pastry. Seasonal offerings always include festive treats such as the Duo Chocolate Santa Face and the Chocolate Hazelnut pies, alongside perennial favourites like the perfect Frozen Classic Apple and Frozen Blueberry pies, which are easily prepared at home.
Beyond pies, the bakery extends its delightful repertoire to include cookies and brownies, showcasing irresistible items such as Gingerbread Men Cookies, Sugar Cookies, and decadent Raspberry Brownies. They also offer a delicious assortment of soups, including creamy Tomato Bisque, rich French Onion, and comforting Potato Leek, providing easy meals for busy families. In response to diverse dietary needs, Pie Junkie meticulously prepares gluten free sweet pies, ensuring everyone can share in the delicious experience.
The widespread network includes five conveniently located Calgary locations: Spruce Cliff/Wildwood, Legacy, Crowfoot, Mahogany, and the newer West District location. This expansion allows the company to reach more people with their heartfelt gift of delicious, authentic food. Furthermore, the dedication to community extends through robust corporate gifts programs and fundraising initiatives, helping other organizations while sharing their commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainable practices. Nancy and Jo-Anne continue to oversee all operations, ensuring that the original vision of making exceptional, comforting pies and creating an inclusive workplace remains at the heart of the growing business, always prioritizing craftsmanship and superior ingredients in every product they deliver, promising a memorable, delicious experience every single time.
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