Through their life, they demonstrate to their kids and others that “we can do hard things.”
By Jennifer R. Farmer
I recently traveled to Montgomery, Alabama for work. After the end of day two of my trip, I explored the city and found an amazing coffee shop, Prevail. I stopped in to grab a bottle of Acqua Panna and to get a whiff of the scent of coffee (I don’t drink coffee but I love the smell of coffee brewing). I asked the barista if the shop had chocolate chip cookies, but he’d just sold the last one. As I stood staring at the menu, almost in disbelief, he referred me to Lorraine’s Bakeshop, which was across the street at 22 Dexter Street.
I recalled that earlier that day, my colleague visited the bakery and messaged indicating I should visit. She also bought me a cinnamon swirl brownie blondie, but I’d not had a chance to pick up the treat or visit the bakery. But now, standing at the coffeeshop and being reminded of Lorraine’s, I decided to walk over.
A Bakery! Right Across the Street?
I took the scenic route to the bakery, down one side of Dexter Street, and up the other. The windows of the bakery had the businesses logo emblazoned on them; a spatula crisscrossed over a whisk, with a cursive L in the center. The entryway was beautifully decorated with plants, a plush gold chair and a red table neatly situated in the interior bay window. The design of the shop was inviting; it felt like home. On one half of the bakery were wooden tables and chairs. You could tell this was a bakery that offered classes, or a cozy place for students or others to work. On the other side was a piano, more chairs, and a long bakery counter.
One of the first things I witnessed upon entering the bakery were jars filled with various assortments of cookies and sweet treats. There were chocolate chip cookies, M&M cookies, brownies, cinnamon swirl blondie brownies and so much more. I tried and absolutely loved their decorated sugar cookies. They were simply amazing.
Prepared to Perfection
Aside from treats baked to perfection, I was intrigued by a woman sitting in a corner making intricate designs on sugar cookies. It was artistry in motion. I engaged her in conversation and realized I was speaking to one of the owners, Lorraine Richie. She and her husband, Bill Richie, lived in South New Jersey up until five years ago when they and their five children moved to Montgomery.
Invitation from an Event Planner
An event planner found Lorraine on Instagram and asked her if she shipped cookies. Lorraine learned how to ship decorated cookies, and began shipping them from New Jersey to Montgomery. She did this for roughly two years before the event planner jokingly asked Lorraine when she was going to move to Montgomery and open a shop. In 2015, she was invited to bake cookies for a party at the governor’s mansion. Lorraine and her family decided to deliver the cookies in person. They also created extra cookies and passed them out to the community with get-in-touch cards attached to the packaging. When Bill was laid off from a job of twenty years, the couple decided to relocate. Through their life, they demonstrate to their kids and others that “we can do hard things.”
A Story Waiting to Be Told
Their love for baking and passion for people is a tale waiting to be told. Lorraine runs the bakeshop by day. Bill works a full-time job, and then bakes in the evenings. They create cookies for the community and do so with deep affection. On their website, they note that, “Baking is about so much more than cookies. It’s a way to foster community, gather your people, and celebrate life’s big and little moments.”
I couldn’t agree more. Good bakeries support people in marking life’s ups and downs. “As Lorraine says, “without your people, it is just a cookie, a snack, or dessert, but when you add the special people in your lives, it becomes a celebration.”
In addition to celebrating life’s victories, they are also there in somber moments, preparing cookies in memoriam for patrons’ loved ones who have passed.
What’s Unique About This Bakery
Lorraine and Bill are flexible, God-centered and community-oriented. I also observed a sense of courage and audacity; it takes courage to move across the country based on an invitation from an event planner and a spiritual draw. Lorraine is also creative. During the pandemic, she opened their porch so patrons could pick up their cookies. She also created “decorate your own” cookie kits. For instance, for Easter of that year they provided cookies shaped like Easter eggs, bunnies and carrots along with sprinkles and icing. She did this to help families keep their kids occupied. I remember the stress associated with the pandemic. I was looking for positive activities for my daughter. When the grocery store (Wegmans) in the area where we lived did this, I was excited as the activity was a thoughtful way to engage with my child.
It should be clear by now that Lorraine’s Bake Shop is one of the best bakeries in Montgomery. If you live in Montgomery and haven’t visited, or are traveling through the area, be sure to check out this local treasure. To learn more about Lorraine and Bill’s journey, also see this podcast interview on the Gumption Podcast.
