Tammy Drahus never thought she would make pies as a profession. But after decades of bona fide baking experience, she applied her talents to expand a small Wake Forest bakery business at Heritage Market. Together with her husband, Jack, Just in Time Treats opened a new storefront in January at The Factory, one of many merchants to open in the 200,000-square-foot retail and recreation space since its inception in 2004.
Originally from Ohio, Jack and Tammy lived and raised a family in Wisconsin for 30 years and moved to North Carolina in 2015 for their son to attend ECU. When they're not baking, Tammy works as a bookkeeper and Jack as a COO and business consultant. Growing up, Tammy learned recipes and techniques -- including simplicity, timing, and when to stop mixing -- from her mother, Elie.
"Everyone knew Elie's pies," Tammy said. "My mother cooked, baked, and made desserts every day. No one knew how to make crusts or pies like she did. But I learned, and someone in the family had to carry on this tradition."
In March 2021, Tammy was asked and agreed to move into the space formerly occupied by MB’s Tasty Pastries, located beside Heritage Market on Burlington Mills Road. With demand for their six signature pies already high, it soon became more than she or her home kitchen could handle alone.
While serving as interim COO of a company in Wisconsin, Jack had been flying back and forth for months but was coming to the end of his assignment. He asked Tammy, who also works full-time in a bookkeeping position, if she wanted his help to expand the business. She agreed.
In July 2021, Jack began his formal training in how to create the perfect crust, what kind of apples and peaches go into their seasonal pies, and dozens of other details. After baking an average of 35 pies per week during their first few months, the cooperative couple received more than 160 orders for their first Mother's Day and 200 orders for their first Thanksgiving, requiring the use of another kitchen to have the orders ready in time.
After that, it was clear they needed a bigger space and started looking, eventually signing a lease beginning in November 2022 with The Factory. Among the challenges of expanding their operation included how to take hand-crafted quality and turn it into a bigger business, sourcing local products, and a shortage of brand-name ingredients. Nevertheless, they have carried on and created some amazing sweet selections.
"We try to deliver the best products you've ever eaten, not just another dessert," Tammy says.
In the last two years, Tammy and Jack went from creating six products to now more than 30, adding different varieties, smaller pies, candied nuts, cakes, cookies, and banana pudding, generating an "overwhelming response of thanks." And just in time for Easter, many selections are available at both the Heritage Market and Factory locations while they last.
See their full selection of treats.
The bakery also proudly serves coffee from Black & White Roasters and donates 10 percent of its proceeds to local nonprofit organizations.
"I definitely feel like this is what we should be doing, our purpose," Tammy said. "I have a passion for baking and the joy it brings to people."
“I am thrilled to see small businesses like Just in Time Treats thrive and expand their operations at The Factory and all across Town,” says Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business & Industry Partnership (WFBIP). “Their success is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication of small business owners in Wake Forest.”
Foundations of The Factory
Like Just In Time Treats, The Factory also brings joy to many people. Now approaching its 20th anniversary, Factory Manager Emma Bennett said she's working on a new marketing campaign and something of a reintroduction to the community.
"We're a hidden gem," she said. "The Factory has been open since 2004, but a lot of people don't know exactly what it is.”
Once the home of Athey Products – an industrial manufacturer that made street sweepers and rock haulers from 1965-2001 – Jeff Ammons purchased the 200,000-square-foot space for $4.4 million and converted it into what is today – complete with retail shops, two ice rinks, basketball courts, soccer fields, and indoor golf. Ammons sold The Factory in 2015 to The Macsydney Company, a New York investment group, for $17,850,000.
See The Factory’s complete list of merchants.
Calling it a "great incubator space," Bennett said 26 of the 28 spaces available are currently leased, ranging in size from 800 square feet to 18,000, for a total of 192,000 square feet of leased space.
"The majority of merchants are your neighbors," Bennett said, where businesses like Lilly Mae’s and Destiny Dance started small. Bennett said those patronizing the Factory "can feel good about investing in the community where it makes an impact." The two vacant spaces will soon be occupied by Two Roosters Ice Cream and Battle House Tactical Laser Tag.
In the meantime, merchants are meeting regularly at Brookfields Indoor Golf and Lounge, another playful place to practice one's game of choice, in order to discuss best practices and move The Factory forward.
"We're continuing to improve the space constantly," Bennett said. "There are many opportunities onsite and on surrounding properties for expansion."
