Pie, Pie My Darling

Chicago’s Bakeries Fight Back Against Fabricated Reviews Online | Eater Chicago

"Owner Heather Bodine-Lederman says her turning point came during COVID when limited drops of 50 birthday cakes sold out in minutes and aggressive emails followed, including a several‑paragraph anonymous message telling her she was "mentally ill" and needed to "tell these things to a therapist, not your customer base." She addressed the situation on Instagram, vowed to be more transparent, and her regulars sent supportive cards that she still displays on a kitchen bulletin board. Since then she has been more outspoken—posting items like her "Fuck Trump cookies"—and says, "Little parts of my soul were dying when I would let people walk all over me," adding, "You have to teach people how to treat you." She reports that taking a firmer stance "has calmed down" the hostility because customers have seen she "won’t let people step all over me." - Lisa Shames