This Small Maine Bakery Is Taking Thanksgiving Pie Orders This November And The Window Is Surprisingly Short

Seventeen days. That’s roughly how long you get to claim a Thanksgiving pie from one small Maine bakery before the order form shuts for the season.

The lineup is short and sweet. Chocolate pudding, pumpkin, and apple cranberry are the three pies on the holiday list.

I like how this bakery runs on a simple rule. The pastries on the counter go first come, first served, with no same-day phone orders to cut the line. That means planning ahead actually pays off here.

The owners also named the place after a bird famous for flocking to food and overindulging. Honestly, I can’t imagine a better mascot for Thanksgiving week. So the real question is simple. Are you the type who orders early, or the type who regrets it?

Mark Your Calendar Before The Pie Window Slams Shut

Timing is everything at Waxwing Bakery this November. Thanksgiving pre-orders open on November 1st and close on November 17th.

That gives you a little over two weeks to make a decision. For a pie, that feels generous until life gets busy and the deadline sneaks past.

Pick-up happens from 7 AM to 2 PM. That lands right before the big meal, so your pie arrives fresh and ready for the table.

My best advice is easy. Set a phone reminder for early November and place your order the first week.

Holiday hosts already juggle turkey timing, guest lists, and the great folding chair hunt. Crossing dessert off the list early takes real pressure off your week.

It also helps to know who is picking up and when. Choose your pick-up day ahead of time so you aren’t scrambling during the busiest stretch of the season.

Small bakeries only have so much oven space and so many hands. A short window lets the team plan carefully and bake well.

Respect the deadline, and the deadline will reward you with pie.

Three Pies, Zero Wrong Answers

Chocolate cream, pumpkin, and apple cranberry make up the Thanksgiving pie lineup. That’s a tidy little trio that covers almost every type of dessert fan at your table.

Pumpkin is the classic. Some folks don’t consider it Thanksgiving until that pie shows up, and they will say so loudly.

Chocolate cream is the crowd-pleaser for kids and chocolate loyalists. It’s also a smart pick for anyone who quietly skips pumpkin every year.

Then there’s apple cranberry. It blends a cozy fall fruit with the tart berry that already shows up on most holiday plates.

Hosting a big group? Ordering more than one flavor solves a lot of polite arguments before they start.

A short menu also tells you something about the bakery. The team chose a focused list instead of offering everything under the sun.

That kind of focus usually means care goes into each one. Pick your favorite, or pick all three and call it research.

Nobody at the table is going to complain about a pie surplus.

A Bird Name With A Very Relatable Habit

Waxwings are birds known for gathering in big groups wherever food is plentiful. They sometimes overindulge too, which is a pretty honest quality for a bakery mascot.

The owners picked that name on purpose. They hope their bakery becomes a communal gathering spot, a place where people flock together around good food.

I love a business name with a story behind it. It gives you something to talk about while you wait at the counter deciding between three pastries.

The overindulging part feels especially fitting in November. Thanksgiving is basically a national holiday built around that exact waxwing behavior.

There’s something warm about a bakery that admits people might want just one more treat. No guilt, just good company and a full pastry case.

The name also hints at the mood the owners want. They aren’t aiming for a quick, grab-and-go stop only.

They want neighbors, friends, and families gathering in one spot. In a small Maine town, that kind of place matters.

Plus, it’s a great conversation starter at the holiday table when someone asks where the pie came from.

Two Bakers With Serious Kitchen Miles

Hannah Buoye and Billy Hager own Waxwing Bakery together. Between them, they bring more than 15 years of culinary experience to the ovens.

That number matters. Fifteen years in kitchens teaches you timing, patience, and how to keep calm when a holiday rush hits.

The bakery opened in Winter 2024. So it’s still fairly new, but the people running it are anything but beginners.

Hannah previously worked as kitchen manager at Tandem, the Portland coffee and bakery spot. That connection shows up on the menu in a very tasty way, which you’ll see soon.

Experience like that helps explain the pie window too. Seasoned bakers know exactly how many orders they can handle while keeping quality high.

I believe that’s the smart move for a small team. Overpromising during Thanksgiving would only hurt the bakers and the customers.

So when you see that November 17th cutoff, think of it as a quality promise. The owners would rather bake fewer pies well than rush a mountain of them.

Honestly, that’s the kind of thinking you want behind your holiday dessert.

The Everyday Pastry Case Deserves Its Own Visit

Pies get the November spotlight, but the regular lineup is the real year-round draw. Artisan sourdough breads, croissants, danishes, and other pastries fill the counter.

Croissants are a big part of the bakery’s identity. Almond and chocolate versions both show up, along with a flaky ham and cheese option for savory fans.

Speaking of savory, the sausage roll has a strong following. Quiche and scones also appear often, with flavors that change over time.

The danishes lean seasonal too. A blueberry cream cheese danish has been a standout, which feels very Maine in the best way.

One thing to remember: the case doesn’t hold items for phone callers. Same-day phone orders aren’t taken for counter items, so showing up is the only plan.

That system keeps things fair for walk-ins. It also means early birds get the widest choice, which fits the bird theme nicely.

Planning a pie pick-up? Grab a pastry while you’re there.

The bakery is basically daring you to leave with only one box, and that dare seems hard to refuse.

Coffee From A Portland Favorite Pours Here Too

Good pastry needs a good drink partner. Waxwing Bakery serves Tandem Coffee and MEM Tea, two names Maine coffee and tea drinkers will likely recognize.

Tandem is a well-known Portland roaster. Having it in Windham means you don’t need a city drive for a solid cup.

MEM Tea covers the non-coffee crowd. Tea drinkers deserve better than a sad bag dropped in hot water, and here they get it.

The menu includes lattes and other espresso drinks. House-made flavors have also appeared, giving regular orders a little seasonal twist.

Here’s a practical tip for pie pick-up day. Grab a warm drink for the road, because late November in Maine is rarely shy about the cold.

A coffee also makes the trip feel less like an errand. Suddenly, picking up dessert becomes a tiny holiday treat for yourself.

And if your Thanksgiving guests love coffee with pie, take note. A great cup after the big meal can make even a stuffed table feel ready for one more slice.

Thursday Through Sunday Is The Whole Show

Four days a week. That’s the schedule, so plan your visits carefully.

Waxwing Bakery opens Thursday through Sunday from 7 AM to 2 PM. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the doors stay closed.

You’ll find it at 868 Roosevelt Trail, Unit 1, Windham, ME 04062. It sits along a busy commercial stretch of Route 302, near larger retail stores.

That location makes it easy to fold into regular errands. Pick up groceries, grab a croissant, and suddenly errands feel like a reward.

Early arrival is a smart move. With first-come, first-served pastries, the morning hours usually offer the fullest case.

The 2 PM close also catches people off guard. Don’t plan an afternoon pastry run and then stare sadly at a dark window.

Thanksgiving pick-up dates have their own schedule, so check your order details. Matching the right day and time keeps your holiday from turning into a pie mystery.

Windham is an easy drive from Portland and the Sebago Lakes area. That makes this Maine stop handy for plenty of folks.

Good News For Vegan And Gluten-Free Eaters

Holiday tables often include someone with special dietary needs. Waxwing Bakery offers a few helpful options, with some honest fine print.

The sourdough bread is vegan. That makes it a great pick for a mixed holiday crowd, especially when you need bread everyone can enjoy.

A selection of gluten-free pastries is also available. That’s welcome news for guests who avoid gluten by choice or for mild sensitivity.

Here’s the important part. These gluten-free items aren’t suitable for people with celiac disease.

A small bakery shares space, tools, and flour-dusted air. The owners are clear about that, and I respect their honesty.

So if a guest has celiac disease, plan another dessert option for them. It’s better to be safe than to risk someone’s holiday comfort.

For everyone else, these choices widen the circle at the table. A loaf of vegan sourdough beside the turkey can quietly make a guest feel included.

Small details like that turn a good Thanksgiving into a thoughtful one, and nobody has to ask twice.

Big Gatherings Need A 48-Hour Head Start

Feeding a crowd beyond Thanksgiving? Special orders from the daily menu are possible with a little planning.

Waxwing Bakery asks for 48 hours notice on special orders. There’s also a minimum quantity, so these work best for groups rather than a single pastry.

Think office breakfasts, family brunches, or holiday weekend guests. Even wedding morning catering has come through this kind of order.

Two days of notice isn’t a lot to ask. Still, it’s easy to forget when party planning turns chaotic.

My tip is to place the order right after you finalize your guest count. That way you won’t be calling late and hoping for a miracle.

This also pairs nicely with the Thanksgiving pie order. Hosting family all weekend?

Line up breakfast pastries for the morning after the big meal.

Nobody wants to cook again on Friday. A box of croissants and quiche solves that problem gracefully.

Like those flocking waxwings, your guests will gather around the good stuff. Your only job is to plan ahead in Maine fashion, then enjoy the overindulging.