Letha and Wendy Pugh Are Baking Columbus Happy: One Patron at a Time
By Jennifer R. Farmer
One of the deepest desires of the human experience is to be seen and affirmed. We want this in our romantic relationships but we also want it at work, in our friendships, and even in the businesses we frequent. That’s what I love about Bake Me Happy, one of three gluten-free bakeries in the Columbus, Ohio area. Dedicating to serving gluten-free products with superior taste, Bake Me Happy has carved out a coveted niche in Columbus’ burgeoning bakery market.
“There are people who don’t digest gluten the way some communities used to and we provide an outlet for them,” Pugh said.
On an unseasonably warm day for January, I caught up with Letha Pugh, co-owner, along with her wife Wendy, of Bake Me Happy. We discussed everything from the launch of Bake Me Happy to diversity in the allergen market to the underlying motivations that inspire customers to frequent bakeries. I learned that Wendy is gluten-free and often receive questions about it when she and Letha attended social events. Wendy began baking for friends, and her baked goods were always a big hit during gatherings.
Their Story
Bake Me Happy launched in 2013, and has two locations in the Columbus, Ohio area – one in the Dublin North Market, and one at the corner of Whittier and Parsons Avenue. Their products are also offered at the Crew Stadium and in unicorn bars around the city, including No Soliciting and Mikey’s Late Night Slice. Victoria’s Secret Cafes also carry Bake Me Happy products. In addition to selling sweet treats, the niche bakery also offers gluten-free beer in their Whittier location. The Pughs are also co-owners of Preston’s: A Burger Joint, which is located in Clintonville.
With a title as aspirational as Bake Me Happy, Letha and Wendy have a tall task ahead of them. But they seem to be meeting it just fine. They have a loyal customer base and patrons who regularly tell the duo that the bakery has changed their life.
“Gluten-free used to be very cardboard. We got into this in order to change the game; we felt we could do it better,” Pugh said. “And our customers show us so much love; it is truly unbelievable.”
Plan Your Visit
If you’ve not had the pleasure of checking out Bake Me Happy, finish reading this article, and then plan your visit. If you need recommendations on what to try, Letha encourages new patrons to start with fan favorites; the zebra cake, king dong, and the cinnamon donut muffin, a personal favorite. You won’t regret it.
