You know Yia Yia's from Bucks, Montco farm markets, but now their baklava is in Hatfield
A baklava shop is opening this month in Hatfield, the next chapter for a mother-son business grown out of family tradition.
Christine and Dimitri Samaras started Yia Yia’s Baklava just a year and half ago. Together they’ve been baking the delicate, flaky treat to sell at local farmers markets and independent grocers. But their family’s baklava story started decades earlier.
“I’ve been doing this since I was 5, baking with my mother,” said Christine Samaras, who is now 70 years old.
She had been raised by her mom to appreciate the traditions of her Greek heritage, and baklava was a significant part of those traditions, one she has always cherished.
“I used to get on a bench to reach the counter, and I used my little brush to do the buttering like she showed me,” Samaras recalled of baking alongside her mother 65 years ago.
It was a recipe passed down from her grandmother, a survivor of the Greek genocide who came to the U.S. in the late 19th century from Asia Minor, which now comprises the Asian portion of Turkey.
Baklava is considered a Greek staple, said Dimitri Samaras, which is customarily served during special occasions, such as holidays and weddings, but can also be enjoyed as an everyday snack. With their new brick-and-mortar location, he looks forward to expanding the business and sharing more of their homemade baklava with the community.
The new 3,500-square-feet shop at 252 Bethlehem Pike in Hatfield is divided into a 1,000-square-foot retail area in the front, with the remaining space in the back used for manufacturing the baklava, scaling up a business which had been baking out of a church kitchen up to this point.
Working with his mom is a dream come true, Samaras said. They are joined by his wife, Leticia Samara and together, the three are excited to grow the business.
“I’ve always wanted to share our baklava with the world,” Samaras said. “It’s awesome to be in business with my mom, my best friend. And letting people try our baklava has been a cool experience, hopefully one we can share with my son one day as well.”
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When is Yia Yia’s Baklava opening?
The retail shop is scheduled to open June 15.
What does “yia yia” mean?
“Yia yia” is a term of endearment for grandmother in the Greek culture.
What is baklava?
At Yia Yia’s, baklava is made using 40 layers of butter phyllo dough, honey, lemon, walnuts and cinnamon. Dimitri describes it as a “delicious, delicate, crispy, flaky delight.”
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What flavors are available at Yia Yia’s Baklava?
Currently, Yia Yia’s offers three flavors: original, lemon and chocolate hazelnut. They can be purchased in 2-packs, 6-packs and party trays.
Where else is Yia Yia’s Baklava sold?
Yia Yia’s Baklava will continue to be sold at the following farmers markets:
Horsham
Wrightstown
Warrington
Berwyn
It is also available at local stores, which currently includes:
Kimberton Whole Foods
Weaver’s Way Co-op
Martindale’s Natural Market
Henning’s Market, Harleysville
Go: 252 Bethlehem Pike in Hatfield; yiayiasbaklavallc.com
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This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Family baklava business to open first shop in Hatfield this month
