Everywhere I go in Seal Beach, people see my “Doc’s Pie Shop” hat and ask, “What’s up with Doc?”
To find out, I tracked down the extremely popular resident, who filled teeth here as a dentist for 23 years and filled stomachs with delicious pies as a local shop owner last year.
“All’s well. Just catching my breath. Got away to England for a trip with my wife. I’m surfing most mornings,” said Dr. James Blake, DDS. “I’m still figuring out ways to help people. Am looking at a couple things and want to stay as local as I can.”
After 11 months in business at Main and Pacific Coast Highway, Doc’s Pie Shop closed at the end of 2017. “It would have taken me two-three more years to make it profitable,” Blake said. “I didn’t want to get to the point where I’d have to mortgage my house.”
“The thing I miss most—in both jobs—is the friendly people—interacting with my customers and employees. I keep in touch with my teammates and most are doing real well. I still see patrons walking on Main or the beach and enjoy catching up with them.”
Blake’s daughter, Christie, a grade school teacher in Rossmoor, and her husband just purchased their first house and he’s helping them. His son, James, works at a Los Alamitos medical device company. His wife, Patti, a former dental hygienist, owns Blue Moon Boutique in Garden Grove. His twin brother, Dr. John, is executive director and dental director of the Children’s Dental Health Clinic in Long Beach. Both are avid surfers, who roomed together at USC and got dental training at the University of Pacific.
Lauren Scott, a Seal Beach resident and Realtor, said, “I’m glad to hear he and his family are doing well. I really miss Doc, his smile and effervescence. His pies were so good that I became a regular customer from the day he started. Can’t wait to find out about his next venture in Seal Beach.”
