Cafe tosses pie at pandemic

When the state was ordered to shut down in March, the majority of Cloquet's roughly 30 restaurants adapted by offering curbside service. When the lockdown ended, new social distancing regulations went into effect, limiting indoor seating so customers would not be too close to each other.

Like other businesses, Culbert's Cafe in downtown Cloquet reopened in mid-June. Unlike other restaurants, the small cafe closed about a week later. Owner Heather Culbert said she felt ill and closed the cafe while she waited for the results of a Covid-19 test. She reopened again when the test came back negative.

Due to social distancing regulations, she had only three tables available for customers in her small restaurant because the long counter with its traditional stools was not available for diners.

"It was costing me more money to be opened then closed," Culbert said. "That's when I got creative."

In the kitchen, that is.

Culbert began selling pies to help pay the rent. She posted photos of pies on Facebook and the orders trickled in. She began with a list of berry and cream pies for the Fourth of July and continued to sell pies through the fall.

A list of 18 different pies for Thanksgiving is posted to the Culbert's Cafe Facebook page. It includes both traditional favorites and unique flavors such as pumpkin pecan, pistachio and a best- seller, peanut butter fudge.

Culbert said she plans to add small pies to her Christmas list. She's also adding fudge and fresh baked bread in the near future.

Additionally, Culbert looked into other avenues of assistance for businesses affected by Covid-19 requirements. She received the Paycheck Protection Program in loan form, which means she needs to repay the money. She also requested a grant through Carlton County and is waiting to hear if she qualifies.

While the PPP loan helped, Culbert still struggled to make ends meet. Selling homemade pies is helping the small business get by until the pandemic ends and the Culberts can reopen their restaurant with enough seating capacity to turn a profit.

"Everything goes into the cafe," Culbert said. "I don't pay myself."

Culbert explained that she baked pies for family holiday meals for many years, but only began experimenting with flavors once she opened the cafe about four years ago.

She said a few groups of guys used to meet for coffee before the shutdown.

"The pie was a part of the reason for going there," Mike Lyes said. "If she had a pie, we ate it."

The 70-year-old Navy veteran said he has tasted most of the flavors over the years. His favorite is blueberry.

"I saw guys take up to six pies home at a time during the holidays," Lyes said. He acknowledges that he has purchased a few pies over the years also.

Prospective customers can order pies by messaging the Culbert's Cafe Facebook page, texting or calling 218-214-9798 or calling the cafe's landline at 218-451-9787. Thanksgiving orders will be taken through the weekend, she said, as they aren't going anywhere for the holiday.