‘An exciting time’
Kate’s Bakery still rising after two months of baking business
A lot months.
For Kate’s Bakery in New Minas, two months has seen the business nearly double its staff to keep up with demands for its baked goods.
It’s a fact manager and head baker Kate Lander is thrilled about, even if it was unexpected. The quick upswing in her business in the winter months, when bakeries are typically less busy, has her feeling excited and planning for when the warmer months arrive.
“This has all been so unexpected, but we’re all feeling exciting to think where this will go,” said Lander. can happen in two
A new place and new job
Lander and her husband, Geoff, are originally from Nottingham, England, and moved to Canada 30 years ago, living in Saint John, N.B., for the first 24.
Her brother, Pete Luckett, is the reason the couple moved to Canada, and eventually convinced the pair to move to the Annapolis Valley region.
Lander had run a successful home baking business and had operated a stand at a market in Saint John, but found rules surrounding that kind of business to be very different in Nova Scotia.
“It just kind of didn’t work out, so I knew I had to find something new,” she said.
After working with her brother at Pete’s Fine Foods locations in Wolfville and Bedford, she joined onto the baking team at Luckett Vineyards, where her desserts were noticed by Dr. Robert Scott, ophthalmologist and owner of McGill’s in New Minas.
“We had a meeting, sat down, and he just looks over and asks me, ‘so what would you like to call your new bakery?’” laughed Lander.
“And that was that, and here we are.”
Bringing back English baked goods
The bakery has become known for its English cookies, biscuits, pies and other sweet goodies, as well as some more savoury alternatives.
Lander said her sausage rolls, pasties and steak and kidney pies are probably her best sellers, since they are something customers don’t find anywhere else.
All products are baked in an open area in the centre of the bakery, entirely from scratch.
“The customers get to see what’s happening as they walk in. Every mixing step happens right here, and then things are baked in our ovens here,” she said, pointing to the machinery to the right.
The bakery also has a small imported British grocery and snack section, and offers custom birthday cake orders, designed by Lander herself.
With an eighth employee soon to be added, the little bakery is shaping up for a big future, and is planning on adding a drivethrough, a front patio and a liquor license.
“This spring is going to be an exciting time for us. We’ve got plenty planned so people can enjoy that outdoor area we’re so excited about. There’s lots to come,” said Lander.