There's a phrase about lofty dreams being like pie in the sky, something pleasant to contemplate but not at all realistic.

A small business might be deemed by some as "pie in the sky" plans. Or perhaps a small business in Nebraska. Certainly a woman-owned small business in Nebraska, a state ranking near the bottom of the country in terms of female entrepreneurship.

Carter & Rye, a woman-owned pie shop in Omaha, Nebraska, might seem as "pie in the sky" as the sweet and savory pastries on its menu. But this female-run business, well, means business. With Carter & Rye, owners (and BFFs) Kate “Carter” Anderson and Sarah “Rye” Ryan partnered their greatest loves, pastries and specialty coffee, to bake up something far greater than the sum of its parts, or, in this case, ingredients. A testament to the power of friendship and the appeal of an All-American classic, Carter & Rye is most certainly a small business worthy of representing Nebraska in Only In Your State's 2024 Small Business Spotlight series.

Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.

Carter & Rye was founded in 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska, by two besties with a vision: a bakery-meets-neighborhood cafe reminiscent of the kinds of pie shops of yore -- the places folks would come to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and slice of pie without pretense or a sense of urgency.

"Pie is an American pastime that people of all walks of life enjoy and it’s an honor to offer something like that to our community," says Anderson. "I started this business to bring handcrafted, high quality, delicious and comforting pastries to people on the go. Many quick options out there are not made from scratch and we knew we had something really special to offer," she explains.

Anderson and Ryan dreamt of a pie shop that served both sweet and savory hand pies: portable, adorable delights made from scratch and using fresh, local ingredients. This was their dream for Carter & Rye, and this pair of female proprietors have made it a (very successful) reality, with 2024 marking the three-year anniversary of Carter & Rye's brick-and-mortar shop on Center Street in downtown Omaha.

The duo are quick to downplay their success, describing their tenure as "three years of rolling, filling, baking and occasionally fumbling our way through - but hey, we’re still standing."

Carter & Rye is more than "still standing" -- this Nebraska business has become a beloved part of its Omaha community. The relationship between business and community is a mutual give and take, say the owners, who include the following on their website: "A good reminder: It is not the employer who pays the wages, it is the product that pays the wages! Buying our product means supporting people, families, and the community."

So, the pie. What's on the menu? There's a hand pie here for every occasion and every taste. The bakery's tagline - "You're the hot one" - is reflective of the owners' commitment to empowering and improving their community

Those with a sweet tooth have much to love at Carter & Rye; the "jammy" fruit pies are a customer favorite, as are the brown sugar cinnamon pies that give "Pop Tart" vibes in all the right ways. Those keen on enjoying a savory brunch will delight in options like the asparagus parm scramble, which uses farm-fresh eggs and produce and tastes like a breakfast quiche. Locals who frequent the pie shop know to get their early, as menu specials tend to go quickly -- but luckily, there's always "excellent backup flavors" being cooked up in the kitchen, ensuring no one goes hungry when at Carter & Rye.

Of course, the commitment to community goes beyond simply feeding the community. "My favorite part of being the owner of this business is making people’s day. We get to experience this extra special part of everyone’s day and pretty much every customer walks away with a smile on their face," says Anderson.

With their business, Anderson hopes to create meaningful and sustainable careers within the food industry, empowering others to do the same while working toward transparency in prices and sourcing. This "be the change" mantra is inspiring, for sure.

It might seem overwhelming to start a pie shop in Nebraska from scratch, especially one that challenges the industry norms in so many ways. But Carter & Rye has been warmly embraced by its community and once you visit, you'll immediately understand (and taste) why.

Many thanks to Kate Anderson for sharing the story of Carter & Rye. Of course, Carter & Rye is one of the many amazing small businesses in Nebraska; please nominate your favorite attractions and businesses for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Only In Nebraska article. And be sure to follow Only In Nebraska on Facebook and Instagram to learn about the Cornhusker State’s most incredible places, attractions, and events.