Catonsville Patch:  Tell us about Nonni’s Pies.

Rebecca Quinn:  I worked for 24 years as a manager for the Maryland State Teacher’s Association.  When I retired six years ago, I started baking.  Then in 2007, I saw the movie Waitress.  The main character bakes pies and she has a passion for it, and I started thinking and talking about my dream of baking pies for people.  People encouraged me; I took a course with the Health Department; I connected with Connie Neiman, who owns The Lunchbox Lady, and she agreed to let me use their commercial kitchen.  I have marketing students at CCBC Catonsville working on a brochure and on my website, which should launch on May 19.  Everything has fallen into place.

Patch:  What has been the biggest challenge in starting a business?

Quinn:  We opened on October 25, 2011, and I have found it challenging to balance the business with taking care of my mother and helping out with my grandchildren and being a mom to my youngest child, who is a senior in high school.  But my therapy is baking pies!

Patch:  What are some of your most popular pies?

Quinn:  My signature pie is the Skillet Apple; you can buy it with or without the skillet!  People also love the “Real” Tavern Toasted Coconut Cream Pie.  We also have savory pies:  Chicken Pot Pie and Classic Quiche Lorraine.

Patch:  Tell us about someone who had a strong influence on you, personally or professionally.

Quinn:  After I retired, I had a bunch of different jobs.  One of them was taking care of an elderly woman, Mrs. Bennet, at Charlestown.  She would tell me, “Rebecca, bloom where you are planted.”  I was always thinking of chasing my dreams all over the place, and she helped me to see that Catonsville, where my roots are, was where I needed to be.

Patch: What do you consider to be your greatest strength?

Quinn:  My people skills.  I love talking to people.  And I can make great pies.  That’s not boasting; that’s from following recipes.  Anyone can do it.  

And I am a spiritual person; I pray for people when I bake pies.

Patch:  Tell us about one of your hobbies.

Quinn:  I love theatre and drama.  If I’d had my wish at eighteen, I would have gone to New York.  So my pies are sort of my theatrical presentation.

Patch:  What is your favorite room in your house?

Quinn:  Of course, the kitchen; it’s the warmth and the heart of the home.

Patch:  What kinds of music do you listen to?

Quinn:  I listen to country music and I love Torch Songs.  Those are songs of longing and love, like Billy Holiday.  I sing them out loud when I’m by myself.

Patch:  Where is your favorite place in the world, other than home?

Quinn:  I have loads of places I’d love to go:  Paris, Portugal, but now that it’s spring, I’ve been thinking about Sherwood Gardens.  I grew up around there and I would go when I was a kid.  And right now, financially, I could do that!

Patch:  What is your favorite thing about Catonsville?

Quinn:  Catonsville has been home to me ever since my family moved to Rosewood from the city when I was sixteen.  I went to Archbishop Keough High School.  I know so many people.  It is a down-to-earth community.  We believe in our children and we have faith in the future.

Patch:  Share some of your vision for the future of Catonsville.

Quinn:  Part of my vision for Catonsville is my dream of having a shop on Frederick Road where people can come and have a slice of pie and share conversation and community and even learn to make pies.  I could teach everyone how to make a homemade crust.

To order, email Quinn at blondestar@verizon.net or call 443-743-0108. Quinn is also at the Catonsville Sunday Farmers Market this year.