TC Pie Company Sweetens the Selection at the ‘New’ DuPont Forza

DuPont Forza
Each week, visitors of the DuPont Forza can delight in a different featured cake. Photo courtesy: Christine Forrey.

As a DuPont resident, I was saddened when I learned that the local Forza was closing its doors to the public. I thought, “Where am I going to go now for coffee or freshly made gelato?” Needless to say, I was devastated. And I wasn’t alone. Countless DuPont citizens turned out to patron the café, one last time before it closed its doors, just days before Christmas.

But then, a couple weeks later, a sign prominently displayed on the front door read the promising message, “Coming Soon.” Rejoice! It was, in fact, true. The new owners, Christine and Thomas Forrey, owners of the Forza in Lacey, swooped in and saved the café, right in the nick of time.

Christine and Thomas weren’t looking to acquire a new café when the bankruptcy court invited them to make an offer on the DuPont location. In fact, the couple didn’t even know that corporate was going bankrupt. After a few deep discussions, however, the couple decided to make a bid.

DuPont Forza
Chocolate dipped macaroons are just one of the many homemade treats you can purchase at the DuPont Forza.

Anyone that was a Forza owner could move a bid, but it was Christine and Thomas’ bid that won out in the end. The couple purchased the café on December 19.

On Saturday, January 23, the café officially reopened its doors and hosted a grand opening celebration to the public with a ribbon cutting by the Lacey Chamber of Commerce and live music from local band Pumphouse. Area residents all joined to re-welcome the town’s local coffee shop once more.

“Prices went up just a tad,” said Christine. “But we’re comparable to other stores and cheaper than Starbucks.”

My family and I attended the grand opening to see the new changes firsthand. My son enjoyed a kid’s vanilla bean gelato while my husband and I shared a slice of homemade pecan pie and a chocolate dipped macaroon. I can tell you from my experience that the slice of pie was heaven on a plate and the macaroon simply melted in my mouth.

The ambiance has changed a bit, with less memorabilia hanging on the wall, but visitors can still expect the same friendly welcome as they walk through the door. “We have all new staff and the Manager, Paula Lake, was the manager in Lacey,” Christine says.

DuPont Forza
The “new” DuPont Forza will feature live entertainment from local bands as well as activities such as bunco, trivia and more.

Patrons with a sweet tooth will be delighted to know that the new and improved café is fully-stocked with homemade cakes, pies, quiches, breads, biscotti, cookies and more from Thomas’ bakery, TC Pie Company.

Each week, TC Pies will feature a pie of the week, including the famous carrot cake made by Christine’s mother, who at 68 years old retired and started baking alongside Thomas. Every item will be made fresh at the Lacey location and brought to the DuPont café. The owners plan to add nine additional feet of kitchen space to provide even more tasty treats in the future.

There are also plans to convert a room in the back into a 25- to 30-person conference room. The room is currently being used as a storage closet, but construction will begin in the next few weeks, giving patrons an opportunity to host meetings and events while taking advantage of the catering opportunities Forza will provide.

Forza plans to host more events and activities moving forward, including live music, Friday bunco, bingo, lunch specials, free pie nights, trivia and even a paint and sip series starting in February.

Located in DuPont, Christine and Thomas also have a strong tie to the local military community. “My dad retired from Fort Lewis and both our grandfathers served in the military,” Christine says. “We are really happy to serve the military community.” And soldiers and dependents will be happy to know that the café will still offer a 10-percent military discount on drinks.

DuPont Forza TC Pies
Homemade pies from TC Pie Company, owned by Thomas Forrey, the new owner of the DuPont Forza. Photo courtesy: Christine Forrey.

If you’re looking for a welcoming place to meet a friend and have a great cup of coffee with a homemade dessert, look no further than the DuPont Forza. I know I will be enjoying the café’s selection of homemade treats, even if that means putting my new year’s resolutions to shame.

You can visit the DuPont Forza at 1520 Wilmington Drive or follow Forza on Facebook for updates and specials.

DuPont Forza
1520 Wilmington Dr.
DuPont, WA 98327
253-301-3925