Maryborough’s Rick’s Pies to shut after 30 years

They’ve fed famous faces and countless pub patrons. Now the pair behind a beloved bakery is calling time on their business but not before sharing memories of serving the city they love.

Rick's Pies is closing its doors after 30 years of filling the stomach of Fraser Coast residents

A Maryborough culinary institution will be no more come November with Kent Street bakery Rick’s Pies closing after 30 years.

For owners Rick and Suzanne Hart, it marks a “sad ending” but an “exciting beginning” as the couple prepares to say goodbye to the city they have called home for decades, moving to Dubbo in Western NSW to be closer to family.

The story of Rick’s Pie’s dates back to 1993 when the family moved from Mount Isa to Maryborough to take over an old fish and chip shop.

It was not the smoothest of starts for the family or the business, with the arrival of McDonald’s in the area “just about killing us” Rick recalled.

Rick's Pies is shutting after 30 years of filling the stomachs of Maryborough residents.

Survival instincts kicked in, and the business fully committed to becoming a pie shop and never looked back.

The bakery’s two mobile trucks quickly became staples outside worksites and late-night watering holes.

Countless Fraser Coast revellers finished their night of partying in venues such as the Criterion Hotel with a warm hot meat pie made by Rick.

“I wish I had kept a journal to list all the events and people I saw,” he said

Though beloved by partygoers, not all locals were fans of Rick’s business strategy.

In December 2005, a petition was put forward by 18 Kent Street businesses to see Rick’s pie van moved away from the street over concerns his late-night patrons were vandalising the area.

LOOKING BACK: A Fraser Coast Chronicle cartoon covers the petition in December 2005, to move Rick Hart Pie Truck from Kent Street received widespread backlash from residents.

The controversy grew so big that the Maryborough mayor at the time, Barb Hovard, headed out one Saturday night to try a pie herself and experience the … festivities.

One memorable moment from the night for Rick was when a woman, so pleased by the mayor’s arrival presented Mrs Hovard with a bouquet of flowers, which had been ripped off trees the council had planted the day before on Wharf Street.

The petition failed to pass to the celebration of many hungry clubgoers who continued to be served by Rick until early 2020 when Covid shut down everything.

It is not just Maryborough residents who have enjoyed Rick’s tasty pastries.

Celebrities such as Craig ‘Macca’ McGown from What’s Up Down Under, Jamie Durie and NRL star Maurice Blair have all visited the shop.

While the owner couple said it was difficult to put their love for Maryborough into words, many of their most cherished moments together and with their sons have taken place in the Heritage City.

Despite this, they know it is time to say goodbye.

“The last 12 months have been incredibly stressful for Suzanne and I” Rick said, adding that after from holidays early this year he asked himself one morning “what am I doing here?” and could not answer the question.

The Harts are saying goodbye to Maryborough and moving to Dubbo after 30 years on the Fraser Coast.

“I cannot explain the feeling, all I knew is that I did not want to be here anymore,” he said

“I have been struggling with the decision for months and months now.

Suzanne said was “grateful for the support so many wonderful people in Maryborough have given the business” but was “now excited to play grandma to my wonderful grandchildren.

While the passion for the pie shop may be gone, they said their love for the city would forever remain.

As news of the pending closure spread on social media, dozens of residents left tributes to the Harts.

Danny Gardiner said, “Back in the day, staggering back from the Cri used to grab a pie from Ricks, what a shame another Maryborough icon gone”.

Kameko Brescianini said, “The shop was like a glow of gold after a night at the Cri. Thanks for looking after our intoxicated needs in the early days”.

Kim Selby said, “I remember Rick out the front of the Royal at two in the morning selling pies to help us soak up the booze. Very dedicated and smart-minded man”.