Sweet Success

Not too tart, not too sweet and with a graham cracker crust that can hold its own—Jessica and Lee Williamson tasted and tweaked recipes by the dozen in search of a key lime pie that captures a beach vacation in every bite.

“We love spending time on the ocean, and when my mom made us this dessert while we were in the Outer Banks, we’d never had anything like it,” Jessica recalls. The refreshing tang sparked their journey to create authentic pies—without preservatives—that soon evolved into Coastal Key Lime Pie.

What began as late-night bake sessions grew into a business with more than 30 retail and hospitality partners across Delaware. Their recipe quickly converted skeptics into fans. “It’s an unforgettable taste,” Lee says.

After test-marketing at the Milton Farmers Market in 2023, the Williamsons expanded distribution by offering samples to local shops, including Tomato Sunshine and Lloyd’s Market. The 10-by-10-foot tent where they first sold pies became a fixture for locals and vacationers, and the early response gave them confidence to push forward.

They later moved production to a commercial kitchen at Delaware Technical Community College before establishing a flagship facility in Seaford. An EDGE grant helped fund equipment and delivery capability, fueling growth and enabling the couple to balance efficiency with the homemade quality that defines their brand.

Today, Jessica, Lee and their small team manage operations, deliveries and pop-up sales. Their newest creations include gluten-free pies and slices dipped in Ghirardelli dark chocolate. Online ordering adds to the reach, with pies shipped for holidays and gifts.

“We continue to come up with fresh creations within the theme of Coastal Key Lime Pie,” Jessica says. CS