A popular Los Angeles pie bakery known for its handmade crusts and nostalgic flavors is opening its first store outside the Greater Los Angeles area this weekend, choosing Palm Desert as the next step in its growth.
Winston Pies will officially open at The Shops on El Paseo on Saturday, Jan. 31, with a full-day grand opening celebration from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The event will include a live DJ starting at noon, giveaways throughout the day, and special opening-day promotions. The first 50 customers will receive Winston Pies merchandise, and guests will be offered free Caffe Luxxe drip coffee with the purchase of any pie.
The Palm Desert shop marks a milestone for founder Brianna Abrams, who started Winston Pies in 2017 from her home kitchen in Los Angeles. Abrams later opened a brick-and-mortar location in Brentwood, followed by stores in West Hollywood and Marina del Rey. Until now, all Winston Pies locations have been within the Los Angeles area.
“Bringing Winston Pies to Palm Desert is an exciting milestone for us,” said Brianna Abrams, Founder of Winston Pies. “El Paseo offers a beautiful setting to experience our pies and coffee, and we’re thrilled to become part of such a dynamic destination.”
Abrams named the business after Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she grew up in a family that baked regularly. That background shaped the brand’s focus on classic American desserts made from scratch, emphasizing high-quality ingredients and traditional techniques. Winston Pies has built a loyal following for its all-butter crusts, seasonal fillings, and its refined take on familiar flavors.
One of the company’s signature ideas is the PieBite®, a 2.5-inch miniature pie that offers the same recipes as its full-size pies. The menu also includes slices, mini pies, rotating seasonal selections, a “candy bar” line inspired by classic sweets, and regular vegan and gluten-free options.
The Shops on El Paseo is among the stores of the El Paseo Shopping District. It features a collection of luxury shops and dining venues.
The Palm Desert location will offer the full Winston Pies menu alongside coffee from Caffe Luxxe, a Los Angeles roaster known for carefully sourced beans, and ice cream from McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, the Santa Barbara-based creamery. Customers will be able to order pies by the slice or whole, along with coffee and ice cream for dine-in or takeout.
According to Abrams, Palm Desert was a natural choice for the brand’s first expansion beyond Los Angeles. El Paseo’s mix of local residents, visitors, and destination shopping aligns with the company’s goal of introducing its pies to new audiences while maintaining a boutique feel.
Fred Fern, manager of The Shops on El Paseo, said Winston Pies fits well with the center’s focus on distinctive dining and retail experiences. “Their commitment to artisanal quality and timeless appeal makes them a natural fit for our dining collection,” Fern said in a statement.
The new shop is located at 73-061 El Paseo, Suite 5, in Palm Desert. With the opening, Winston Pies brings a well-known Los Angeles dessert brand to Greater Palm Springs, signaling the company’s first step toward broader expansion while staying rooted in its original, home-style approach to baking.
