SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - The borough's newest downtown business has residents always wondering what's in the oven.
After baking pies at the Schuylkill Haven Farm Market for five years and developing quite a following, Jan Sickinger and her youngest daughter, Tessa, recently brought their business, What's In The Oven?, to a storefront at 35 E. Main St.
"It's just such a joy to see people come in and enjoy our pies," Tessa Sickinger said.
With a line extending out the door for most of the day, the bakers hosted an open house Saturday during the Old Fashioned Christmas on Main Street event.
"We've had a lot of compliments and people are happy to have a pie and coffee shop in the area," Jan Sickinger said Saturday. "It's something different."
What's In The Oven? features about five or six pies each week. There are also gluten- and sugar-free pies and other desserts, such as cheesecake and apple dumplings. Coffee and hot chocolate are also available.
Customers can purchase pie by the slice or place orders for a full dessert. Everything is made from scratch from family and newly created recipes, Jan Sickinger said.
"I've been baking since my grandmother showed me how to when I was around 7 years old," Jan Sickinger said. "It's been carried on through the family. I always baked with my kids."
What's In The Oven? opened at the location about three weeks ago. The business was temporarily located there for Schuylkill Haven's Borough Day in September, and customers were hoping to see the business there full time.
Despite being a smaller store, the Sickingers described the location as "cozy" and said it is big enough for the business right now.
"The customers like the atmosphere," Tessa Sickinger said. "A lot of people told us that's it's nice to have a place like this to come, sit down and have coffee and a piece of pie."
The Sickingers also joined the Greater Schuylkill Haven Business Association and have had the support of the other downtown businesses.
Jan Sickinger said the other business owners have been giving them tips for more space and special event ideas.
"I think that God has given us that ability to work with our hands that way and when you can do something well, you keep doing it. He opened the door and shoved us into it," Jan Sickinger said.
A few regular customers were enjoying a slice of warm pie with a hot drink at the new location Saturday afternoon.
"We've had their pies before they opened up and have never been disappointed," Warren Gray, Orwigsburg, said. "They've been given a gift and we are so happy for these ladies to have this place."
Paul Zaspel, Pottsville, said the Sickingers recently baked pies for a family wedding.
"They are very talented ladies," Zaspel said.
Carla Zaspel, Pottsville, said she knows the business will do well.
"Who doesn't love pie?" she said.
Check What's In The Oven? on Facebook to see what the Sickingers will be making each week.
The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.