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SALT LAKE CITY — The day before Thanksgiving is far from a day off for many bakers and restaurants across the Wasatch Front.
While some prepare to entertain guests, others scramble to fill orders, especially for rolls and pies.
For small business owner James Edwards, founder of James Gourmet, it was different Wednesday: He was out making roughly 25 hand deliveries to customers from Salt Lake County to Weber County, many at least 10 minutes apart.
Edwards got the idea in 2017 to make sweet potato pies while serving in the military, and a year later, his pies were selling out at local farmers markets.
He has since added buttermilk and banana pudding pies to his offerings and has opened up shipping to customers nationwide.
While most of the money he puts back into his business, he adds it was worth it for the interactions and friendships with his customers — especially at a time like Thanksgiving.
"I get hugs from people, I get big old smiles; they're so happy to see me," Edwards said. "They say, 'You saved Thanksgiving.'"
