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Family-owned Sonson’s Pasty Co. has been in Mesa for several years and opened a Gilbert location last fall.
Your Name: Julie Mercer
Business Name: Sonsons Pasty Company
Town/Neighborhood: The Islands in Gilbert and the Buckhorn neighborhood in Mesa.
Hours of operation: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Personal background highlights: I am from Cornwall in England. I moved to Arizona 2002. In 2018 I opened my first pasty shop in Mesa and in 2022 I opened my second pasty shop in Gilbert.
What is a pasty? A pasty is a handheld meal made with vegetables, meat and encased in a delicious pastry. The pasty originated in Cornwall, England, in the 1800s. Traditionally the pasty was a miner’s lunch, which would keep the miners' hunger at bay while they worked a 12-hour shift down the mine.
Professional background highlights: My background is in retail and food production.
What I do: I make delicious pasties for the people of Arizona to enjoy.
What I like most about doing business here: I love meeting my customers and listening to their stories about how their mother or grandmother used to make the best pasties!
Changes I’d like to see in this area: I would like to see more people using the local businesses more often.
What am I promoting: I am promoting our new Gilbert location of Sonsons Pasty Co. at 1430 W. Warner Road Suite No. 134, Gilbert.
When and why I started my business here: I loved this area as soon as I set eyes on it, the beautiful lakes and the surroundings. Every person I met was super friendly. I love the area.
My guiding philosophy: Live and let live.
My advice to today’s youth: Never worry worries 'til worries worry you, 'cause if you worry worries, worries will always worry you. … Live for today.
