Grand reopening for Flywheel Pies

By Staff, 09/7/17 1:53 PM

PRESCOTT – Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held for the grand reopening of Flywheel Pies.

The business has existed in Prescott for more than 30 years, but recently changed hands and locations. Flywheel Pies were purchased by ICM about three years ago, and moved to the old McRae Middle School building where it uses the cafetorium to make and freeze the pies.

Steven Hitt, business developer for ICM, said Flywheel still delivers frozen pies to 32 counties in the state and is looking to expand. The company recently obtained its retail license and permit and plans on selling the frozen treats to grocery stores. One of the long-term plans, is to eventually open a shop locally where the pies can be sold individually and diners can sit and enjoy them with coffee or another beverage. In addition, he continued, “family-size” boxes are being ordered which will contain four frozen pies.

This, he said, means freezer space won’t be taken up as the pies can be taken home and fried when desired. Sample boxes are also available with 12 of the top selling pies, apple, peach, apricot and chocolate.

ICM’s home office is in Little Rock, he said. Hitt commutes to Prescott regularly during the week. He said Flywheel sells 14 varieties of pies, including sugar free apple and peach. The business kept all of the old employees, and has expanded to a staff of around 18. There are two van drivers who deliver the pies.

The reason ICM purchased Flywheel Pies, Hitt said, is because the company saw an opportunity to provide jobs for people with disabilities. He pointed out ICM, and therefore, Flywheel Pies, is a not-for-profit entity, adding Flywheel Pies is the only not-for-profit frozen pie company in the nation.

The business moved, he said, because it simply outgrew its prior location. ICM worked with the Prescott School District and the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office on acquiring the middle school building, which wasn’t in use at the time. “We love it here,” he said.

According to Hitt, the company has larger plans and would like to build a walk-in freezer for stock that could require the use of refrigerated trucks for shipment. This, he said, is possible if the company can make deals with grocery stores.