Today we welcome contributor Liz Petruska to the GFS family with her story of three women who up and did what a lot of us dream about: opening a bakery in scenic Maine. Spoiler alert: the Village Bakery and Cafe made its debut this summer, and we hope she’ll be back to share more stories of life as an entrepreneur as the business grows.
Seven months ago, over beer and ping pong, on a chilly January night, our new bakery was born. The idea was to keep it simple, to gather our recipes, mixers and aprons and start…from scratch. Our journey since then seems epic to us, three friends who share a love of baking and love to share tasty treats with others, but really our adventure has just begun.
On July 2, my two partners and I opened the Village Bakery and Cafe in the small coastal village of Waldoboro, Maine. The town was in need of a place for people to gather, and quite simply, to get a decent cup of coffee. Meanwhile, we were looking for an opportunity to pursue our passion for baking.
The last few months have been a challenge, to say the least, and seemed to be about everything but baking. We spent countless hours painting, planning and testing the boundaries of group decision-making, only to have the health inspector walk in two days before our scheduled opening and say, “Oh, I thought you were ready to open.”
There were a few heart-sinking moments like that along the way, but also exhilarating ones too, like firing up the oven for the first time. I’ve gone from using several hundred minutes on my cell phone for a whole year to needing several thousand—a defining moment in my life and a good representation of how time in my life as changed—always on call.
We’ve learned a lot about the ins and outs of starting a new business and now finally are able to learn more about baking—like how to get a real golden crust on our bagels, the tricks to the new convection oven, and how to survive in a hot kitchen in 90? weather. Our freshly baked goods are gobbled up daily by friends and new faces and we’re starting to figure out how much to order—we go through at least 75 pounds of flour weekly and what seems like countless sticks of butter.
I take pleasure each morning in the bounty on display and welcome the opportunity and challenge to try to new recipes. But equally satisfying is being part of our neighborhood, to be a place where friends and colleagues can meet, a place that offers a little extra life to the downtown. The home kitchen has become a central place for families and friends to gather and we hope to be the same for Waldoboro. We are grateful to Good. Food. Stories. for the opportunity to share the story of our beginnings with you and hope to write more along the way.
Village Bakery and Cafe, 11 Friendship Street, Waldoboro, ME. 207-832-2182.
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Glad to hear about this. I live in Yarmouth ME and have fantasies several times a week about opening a bakery here. Next time I head north, I’ll stop by!
Good luck!
Nice article. Good luck.
‘equally satisfying is being part of our neighborhood’ like that. look forward to reading more, and visiting when next I am in Maine.
Liz, this is wonderful. Those blueberry muffins look luscious. I know you all are working hard but it is so
very rewarding to have your own business. Take care and take time to enjoy. I will be sure to show this to Uncle Bill and Uncle Dave. Gladn to hear about all this.
Love Grandma McKinley-Roy
Wow, another reason to hit Waldoboro–Moody’s has its charms, for sure, but next time we’re up that way we’ll stop by you instead.
Been there, tasted the goodies— GREAT PLACE and GREAT PRODUCTS and STAFF!!! Keep it up, Liz and friends!!
Wish there was a place like this near us, in Connecticut. If I’m ever up in Maine, I’ll stop by!
I just love stories like this, where folks follow their dream and build something fabulous out of nothing.
It also shows how much hard work, perseverance and commitment goes on behind those lovely morsels you see on the shelves. I’m in Michigan, but I look forward to hearing more about your business. Keep going, ladies!
So inspiring. I hope their shop does well. Maybe you can do an update in a few months–maybe even pass along a recipe:)
Gotta share this story with my pal wanting to do something very similar in D.C. She’ll be inspired to keep going I’m sure.
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