You could say Elias Lehnert was born into the butter business. Today, Legacy Pie Co.’s two locations, in Berkeley and Wash Park—which Lehnert and his wife, Rachel, opened in 2021 and this past spring, respectively—use up to 1,000 pounds of the ingredient every week to produce the shops’ golden-crusted beauties.

At both spots, Denverites line up daily from 8 a.m. to 7, 8, or even 9 p.m. to ogle brightly lit cases. Some pies are sweet, such as the flagship tart cherry or caramel-drizzled bourbon apple, while savory versions include hearty ingredients like bison and mushrooms. But Legacy Pie’s modern vibes belie its origins as a pastry-focused offshoot of 64-year-old Colorado Cherry Company, a brand with a more rustic aesthetic founded by Lehnert’s grandparents and parents that sells a wide range of foodstuffs (including cider and pie) at outposts in Loveland, Lyons, Estes Park, and Windsor.

This holiday season, look for Lehnert to continue his family’s delicious, well, legacy with seasonal pies such as a ginger-spiced cranberry apple and a peppermint mocha French silk. Or stock up on ready-to-bake frozen options—apple, mixed berry, chicken pot pie, and more—that are the perfect complements to your own traditions.

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Patricia Kaowthumrong
Patricia Kaowthumrong
Patricia joined the 5280 staff in July 2019 and is thrilled to oversee all of the magazine’s dining coverage. Follow her food reporting adventures on Instagram @whatispattyeating.