Bittersweet News About Our Future
Way back in 2019 B.C. (before COVID), we had begun to shake things up at the bakeshop, starting with our Second Saturday initiative, which allowed us at least three Saturdays each month to participate in community events–including farmers markets and festivals, where it all started. The pandemic took all of that away from us, as we modified the busines operation for the sake of our health, our family AND our loyal customers. We’ve taken this very seriously for two years, and still do. Folks continue to ask when we will re-open for inside service. Well, the time has come to answer that question with full disclosure, and even as we write this, it’s difficult to form the words.
Starting April 3, Back Door Bakeshop will go back to its origins as a wholesale business. We will continue to provide baked goods at Scholl Orchards, and also at festivals and community events as mentioned earlier. We’ll continue to be a source of joy and positive energy within the community. Keep an eye on our social media to find out what’s happening next.
This is all very bittersweet for us, and we hope you understand that it wasn’t an easy decision. The most important thing is that we’ve missed too much time with our family, and we’re looking forward to making up for that lost time.
Creating and building Back Door Bakeshop has been the ride of a lifetime. Nine years ago, I never doubted the success we would achieve at 92 E. Broad St. but I certainly did not foresee how much I would learn and experience, or how many great people I would meet along the way. We have loved and cared for our little corner of Broad and Center, and we’ve expressed our neighborhood pride over these years with seasonal flowers and colorful umbrellas, tasteful lighting and our bright yellow door. These little things make people smile.
Now that there are only a few weeks before we move on to our next chapter, I’ve been reflecting on the past 13 years (yes, BDB was established in 2009 at 1422 Center Street) and thinking about the many wonderful moments and what I’ll miss the most. Here are just a few…morning sunlight shining through the kitchen window as I start my day rolling out scones or baking muffins; the sound of the front door jingling bells letting me know that customers are coiming and going; visiting a few friends outside at our sidewalk tables for a quick hello; folks waiting for their orders, sharing conversation whether they know each other or they just met; the rush that is lunchtime when I’d have 15 tickets hanging and Dina would hurry back and forth managing the front and back of house; the marathon that was Thanksgiving pie-making; and I could go on. There were days that were just plain exhausting, but those days brought such a sense of accomplishment. There were days that flowed almost effortlessly, and we felt so good about creating a peaceful, welcoming space that allowed people to pick up an affordable, healthy lunch and tasty treats.
I’ve truly appreciated the opportunity to create delicious combinations, sometimes at the suggestion of customers. When I created the Roasted Garlic Butter Cookie–a combination of garlic and butter and a hint of cayenne–that confounded many, but for some it’s become a weekly craving! I created sandwich, soup and quiche combinations that were a bit risky for the lunch crowd…jicama slaw, harissa chicken, jalapeño lime sauce, tom-tom sauce, peanut butter & pickles, tofu & caesar dressing, and of course all that is the Cheese Sub. My creativity in the kitchen depended on a willing audience and you proved to be up to the task and I thank you so very much.
This truly has been a roller coaster of an adventure and we’ve worked our butts off through most of it–farmers’ markets, festivals, pop-up cafes, and who can ever forget the Christmas City Village! I’ve never been prouder of anything I’ve done in my life and we persevered through some difficult times and came out on the other side. We will miss all of you, no doubt. Thank you, thank you, thank you…what a beautiful ride this has been.
And now of course, I’m asked “what are you gonna do next?” I like to re-frame that question into “what am I gonna do when I grow up”, ha-ha. Quick answer is I’m going to recognize my lifelong yet unrealistic desire to be a Park Ranger. The logical answer however is, I’m going to continue to reach for my goals, and go back to my roots as an entrepreneur and cookie baker, so stay tuned for more on that.
We must say Thank You to some very special friends and family who have helped us along the way–at the festivals; in the cold and the snow; in the heat and the rain; peeling apples; peeling peaches; washing dishes; painting; repairing; building; making deliveries–because sometimes it takes a village. There are too many to mention and we don’t want to leave anyone out. You know who you are!
And Thank You–a million times–to our wonderful, loyal customers! It’s been a pleasure to make food for you, to feed your families, and to know that you’ve trusted us with that life-sustaining task.
Cheers!
Gail and Dina