Palm Harbor’s longtime pie shrine JJ Gandy’s, which went dark late last year after the founding Schmidt family stepped away, is on track to fire up the ovens again later this summer under new owner Rob Marvenko. He says the plan is simple: keep the classic recipes, keep the old-school vibe, and get the door back open for the regulars who never really stopped showing up.
New Owner Vows To Preserve Recipes
According to Tampa Bay 28, Marvenko reached out after the Schmidt family announced their retirement and worked out a deal to take over the business. He told the station he wants to keep the JJ Gandy’s brand “alive” and is aiming to reopen the Palm Harbor storefront later this summer. That decision came after weeks of watching loyal customers walk up to a darkened door, still hoping to snag a pie.
Secret Recipe Book Stays Under Lock
Marvenko told Tampa Bay 28 that he was handed JJ Gandy’s closely guarded recipe book and promptly tucked it into a safety deposit box. “I wanted to make exactly what they made over the years,” he said. He pointed out that the bakery has sold more than 1.4 million pies, a number he holds up as proof of just how far JJ Gandy’s reputation reaches. Inside the shuttered shop, he noted, the pie pans, boxes, and ovens are all still in place, making it feel less like a reboot and more like stepping into an ongoing story.
A Palm Harbor Staple Since 1982
The bakery’s history traces back to October 1982, with its familiar Palm Harbor location on Alt. 19, underscoring decades as a neighborhood fixture, according to JJ Gandy’s. Online review and travel pages echo that legacy, with TripAdvisor posts showing off customer photos and steady praise for the shop’s key lime pie. That enthusiastic fan base is part of why Marvenko has stressed that the recipes and the feel of the place are staying put.
When To Expect Pies Again
Marvenko says he is targeting a summer reopening and plans to bring back the core pie lineup first before trying anything new. For now, locals will have to keep an eye on the Alt. 19 storefront and the bakery’s official channels for the exact opening date and hours.
For Palm Harbor residents and visitors who have treated JJ Gandy’s pies as a must-grab souvenir of the area, the return signals a small but satisfying revival of a local tradition. Marvenko says he is ready to hand slices across the counter to both the old guard of regulars and a fresh wave of newcomers.
