From the left: Jolene Moore, Cheryl Beasley and Jess Stewart are all smiles in the newly renovated portion of Simply Baked Catering in Winchester. Thompson Goddard Photo
Simply wonderful
WINCHESTER – When walking into Simply Baked Catering, located at 493 Main Street in Winchester, you are greeted with the delightful fragrance of delicious baked goods, and a warm welcome from staff.
Owner Cheryl Beasley commented how it is a “great team to work with and how they make working fun!” She explained the store opened in 2018 with Beasley, Anne Carriere and Claire Faguy decided to form a partnership and establish a brick-and-mortar storefront. She continued the three women decided as the rules were changing for home food businesses, the time was right to open a store. Carriere and Faguy have since moved on to other opportunities, with Beasley operating the business solely.
A dedicated community supporter, Beasley was integral in the formation of the Chesterville Farmers’ Market, Art on the Waterfront and involved in several other community organizations. Over the years, she has worked with many other local businesses for special events in the North Dundas and nearby communities. She mentioned SBC provides buns for Iron Forge Pizza in Winchester, collaborates with local markets and is part of My Local Markets in Kemptville.
One of these initiatives is a fundraiser for the dialysis unit at the Winchester and District Memorial Hospital. Named the Cathy Burns Peanut Butter Ball Fundraiser, it is held during the month of March which is designated as Kidney Health Month. Beasley explained during the month of March, customers can purchase a box of peanut butter balls for $17 of which $5 from each sale is provided to the WMDH dialysis unit. She mentioned how in the first week of the campaign over 50 boxes were sold.
Simply Baked Catering rents the entire first floor of their Main Street location, and earlier this year expanded to utilize both sides. One side is devoted to customer service, where food is displayed and soup and sandwich lunches created, with the other portion being where production is concentrated.
The store offers a large variety of food including custom cakes, freshly made sandwiches, delicious bread products such as bagels, loaves of specialty breads and desserts with a selection of catering to satisfy just about every taste.
SBC has a Pie of the Month Club as well as a Bagel Club for customers to enjoy themselves or give as a gift to that special someone. The business has also produced several cookie decorating kits for customers around the different holidays, which provides an opportunity for children of all ages to have some tasty treats they have decorated themselves.
Beasley explained the catering portion of the business is limited currently due to the transition at the company. She mentioned there is a new menu up on the website, www.simplybakedcatering.com, which provides several options for catering orders.
When asked about challenges during COVID-19, she explained though difficult to manage initially, the company was able to pivot and work with pandemic regulations to ensure the safety of both customers and staff. Beasley commented the public is becoming more aware of local businesses and the need to support them.
Winchester has enjoyed many bakeries throughout its history, with Simply Baked Catering ensuring the tradition of freshly baked goods continues in this community.
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