If you’re looking for something sweet but are not sure where to go, read on for my tips on what makes a good bakery.
Let’s be honest. Not all bakeries are made equal. It takes more than fondant and a pretty design to make my list. I’m interested in what the bakery offers as well as the overall customer experience. Now to be clear, my focus for this blog is bakeries that specialize in cupcakes, cakes and cookies. While I appreciate bread, donuts and pies, those aren’t things I focus on here. But if cakes, cupcakes and cookies are your thing, here are five things that demonstrate a bakery is worth your and others’ time.
Experience.
A good bakery provides a fabulous experience. While some people want and enjoy tasty treats, most of us want to have experiences that leave us feeling pampered and special. A great bakery provides a memorable experience. This means good service and an even better ambiance. A great bakery leaves customers feeling like whatever happened before they entered the bakery’s doors is negligible; the only thing that matters is where they are now – standing in a sea of sweets. Good bakeries make you feel they are essential to your self-care; you leave feeling your soul has been nurtured. The truth of the matter is that people don’t just want a good product; they also want a good experience. They want an experience that leaves them satisfied and enriched. Bakeries that provide this leave customers yearning for more and more.
Warm and friendly staff.
Speaking of staff, the next quality that defines a good bakery is warm and friendly staff. Think about the times when you’re most likely to visit a bakery. For me, it’s after school drop-off and before work. Sometimes I go in with the intention of brightening up my and others’ day. A warm and friendly staff helps ensure a good experience and also keeps customers coming back time and time again. It also is one of the reasons I’m inclined to talk about the bakery with friends, family and colleagues.
Bright and inviting environment.
As I shared in an earlier bullet, great bakeries offer more than sweet treats. They offer an experience. When the physical structure of the bakery is bright and inviting, it increases the likelihood that I’ll want to visit in the future. And to be clear, when I say bright and inviting, I’m referring to a modern environment, lots of lighting and plenty of space to move around. One of my favorite bakeries is Pistacia Vera in Columbus, Ohio. Its ceiling-to-ground windows provide an awesome view of the outside as well as plenty of natural light – such an attractive feature. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it also offered indoor seating, which was perfect for meeting friends for coffee and tea over a sweet treat.
An endearing story or connection to the local community.
Everyone loves a good story. It’s one of the reasons that consumers appreciate frequenting mom-and-pop shops. In fact, two of my favorite bakeries in the Columbus, Ohio, area (Resch’s and the Original Goodie Shoppe) have been in existence for over 100 years. And Resch’s has been in the same location for most of that time. How remarkable. Additionally, everyone loves stories that leave them feeling inspired or warm inside. Bakeries that have an endearing story are attractive to customers. With each bite, customers can focus on the taste while enjoying the story.
Intentionality.
Another thing to consider when evaluating a bakery is intentionality. Good bakeries are intentional in where they are located, what they offer and whom they employ. Going back to Resch’s as an example, I noticed that the bakery is located in the same urban community that it has been in for decades. What’s more, the people it employs are from the local community. This tells me that not only are the customers loyal, but the business is loyal as well.
Exceptional treats.
A good bakery offers exceptional treats. I’m talking about a taste that is unique to that establishment. When consumers visit bakeries, they shouldn’t feel like they’re getting the same thing they got from the last bakery they visited. For instance, I don’t want to feel like I could get the treat from any bakery. I don’t want to feel like the recipe is the same, offering just a different decoration. I like cakes and cupcakes with character. I like cookies that are packed with flavor from the first bite to the last. I want something that tastes original and desserts that you know can’t be easily replicated.
Now you have it. Those are the elements I look for when considering whether a bakery is worth my time (or yours) and whether it’s worth a second, third and fourth trip.
