STEPPING into Heather Dell’s Home Made Pies and Cakes is like stepping back in time.

From a set of scales dated 10 April 1899 to the Brice mixers and oven which were brought in when the store opened in 1951, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in another decade.

But owner Keith Prentice wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It (the kitchenware) just works better,” he said.

“It’s old, and about 20 years ago we were out of fashion, but now it’s back in vogue.

“People are spending a lot of money now to get this look.” Mr Prentice, 55, has been at the helm of Heather Dell’s for the past 35 years, taking over from his grandmother Margaret Prentice and great aunt Catherine Gray.

The pair bought the old Grangers Pies and Cakes store to set up Heather Dell in September 1951. The Prentice family has served Yarraville since.

Among the delicious selection are old favourites and some new inventions, including Swiss blueberry and Swiss pineapple cupcakes, mini almond cheesecakes, neenish tarts, cherry pie, passionfruit tarts and butterscotch tarts.

None of the products contain nuts, and some are made without eggs, while their pies boast less than 0.1 of a gram of trans fat for every 100 grams.

The pies won a silver medal in the Great Aussie Meat Pie Competition in 1999.

“We try to do what you don’t see anywhere else,” Mr Prentice said.

“Right now, our competition comes from the bigger chains and all we can challenge them with is our individuality.”

Though there is no interest from his children to take over the family business when it’s time for him to step down, Mr Prentice is adamant he will not close the shop.

“We want to keep the brand going,” he said.