by David Abdel

What does it mean to be the “(INSERT) Capital of Texas!”? Should a town have an abundance or an exaggerated affinity for said thing? Well, this week a motion was filed in the Texas House seeking to codify Kyle’s quest on becoming the “Pie Capital of Texas!” and I have to ask, why?

In order to be the capital of something I would imagine a place should be synonymous with that thing. Think of Fredericksburg and peaches, or Poteet and strawberries. I don’t think that after mentioning Kyle, anyone gravitates their thinking toward pie. So I wonder, is this really the right road for us to venture down? Granted, we do in fact have a pie shop, one, on Center Street right in the heart of downtown. The Texas Pie Company does also have a rather illustrious sign. The pie there is good. But is it so good that we, as a town, should focus our entire identity around it? If I’m being honest, no.

To go along with the one pie shop, the city has created the “CertiPIEd” campaign for local businesses, where they are encouraged to support the pie capital moniker by incorporating a pie theme into their business in some fashion. In the name of branding I understand what is trying to be done, but I believe it is falling flat. Most neighbors I’ve spoken with have no idea the pie theme exists outside of the pie shop and some events, and cannot recall being recipients of any pie themed materials. Save for the pie shop, many don’t know of anything relating to pie in town. Now, heaven forbid the pie shop were to close … what happens then? How could we be the pie capital without an iconic pie shop? Imagine though if our downtown were redesigned to focus on the pie theme. We could have three or four unique pie shops, all vying to be the “best in town” and we could create the “Pie Mile” where visitors come to earn the badge of honor having stopped at every one of our renowned pie shops. Think of the Lockhart barbecue scene, only with pie. THAT would be worthy of being the “Pie Capital of Texas!”

I get that we’ve co-opted the Labor Day festivities into the pie theme, shoehorning the “Pie in the Sky” moniker in. We also have the Pi Day (different kind of pie but, ok) Proclamation. However, this trademark seems to generally be haphazardly applied and not truly embraced let alone recognized by most neighbors. Ultimately though, I hope this bill passes. Why? I don’t want to end up devoting a single tax dollar to another rebranding effort. Let us become the “Pie Capital of Texas” knowing full well that the designation is all crust and no filling.