Cooking an entire Thanksgiving dinner can be daunting. Thankfully, there are plenty of local options for those looking to supplement their meals with store-bought items that taste homemade.
Whether you pass it off as your own is up to you.
Raleigh Tavern Bakery
Pie is the traditional end to any Thanksgiving feast. New this year, the Raleigh Tavern Bakery (located behind the Raleigh Tavern on Duke of Gloucester Street) will be selling freshly baked pies.
Colonial Williamsburg’s pastry team, led by Chef Rodney Diehl, will be preparing pumpkin, pecan, rum cream and crumble-top apple cranberry pies. Pies will be on sale starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday and will also be for sale Wednesday.
Williamsburg Farmers Market
This Saturday is the first Holiday Market for this Williamsburg staple, located at Merchant’s Square on Duke of Gloucester Street. The market offers a wide selection of goods for those stocking up before Thanksgiving.
“It’s going to be a huge market for us, it always is,” said Tracy Herner, market manager.
There’s a little bit of something for everyone, she said.
Herner said pies are a big hit for those looking for a homemade feeling without the effort. There are two different pie vendors, as well as a baker who makes a wide variety of fresh breads.
For appetizers, there will be crab dip, cheese and a selection of jams and jellies.
“The farmers market does have a lot of things that are freshly baked or freshly produced that you could easily pawn off as if you made it yourself,” Herner said.
For a full list of the vendors who will be at this Saturday’s market, click here.
Off the Vine Market, Inc.
Off the Vine Market is an online store that offers fresh, locally harvested food. They recently opened a retail location, which stocks produce and premade meals, created without the use of chemicals.
For a Thanksgiving meal, Off the Vine Market has apple cider and an assortment of snacks for guests. Owner Tess Schaffner said the store also carries apple pie and peach pie fillings. Put the fruit in a pie shell and “voila, it’s done. They just have to pop it in the oven,” Schaffner said.
Off the Vine Market is located at 312 Lightfoot Road, Suite K in Williamsburg. For hours and more information, visit their website.
Blackbird Bakery
Blackbird Bakery will be serving pumpkin whoopie pies and mini pecan and pumpkin pies, along with an array of breads, cookies and pastries. The bakery will be open on Thanksgiving Day from a 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for any last-minute needs.
Located in Merchant’s Square, the Blackbird Bakery is owned by Chef David Everett, who also owns the Blue Talon Bistro, The Trellis and DoG Street Pub.
Jessica’s On Main
This Gloucester store had a wide array of baked goods, including cherry, pumpkin and pecan pie. Sweet or savory, they also have rolls by the dozens in flavors from potato to cranberry walnut.
Orders can be placed on the phone at 804-693-2020, but must be made before 5 p.m. Tuesday to be ready for Wednesday pick-up. Visit their website for more information.
Are we missing something? Please send an email to [email protected] or leave a comment on this page. We’ll continue to update the list.
