The Island Pastry Haus is the new storefront on the corner of Willow and Legion Streets that’s the product of The Kitchen in the back.
The Kitchen where Utopia Bakery used to be located is the place for all hands on deck to kneed the dough and fire up the ovens and the former Misfits Fitness Studio and Health Bar is the retail space that combines the two parts.
The Kitchen is not just a bakery, but a shared commercial space for small local food producers owned by Brian and Annette Brama. The Kitchen’s flagship location is in Duncan on Polkey Road.
Related story: The Kitchen caters to small local food producers
The Bramas made their public debut, along with Brian’s mom Renate, during the Cowichan Craft Beer & Food Festival at the Chemainus Ball Park last August.
The plan was originally to open the retail bakery before last year’s Christmas rush, but it didn’t come together in time. Instead, it finally happened on April 4.
“This is just a soft opening,” said Renate Brama. “They’re still working out some kinks.”
She said it’s anticipated to have a more formal official opening in early June.
In the meantime, the public has been flocking to the location during the last month and can’t get enough of the available taste treats, including baking, sandwiches and chocolates.
“The first week we almost killed ourselves,” noted Brama, who calls herself the quiet helper in the back. “It was a new opening. The people that were here the first time are coming back. We can’t complain.”
One of the bakery’s specialties is the Chemainus Bar, sure to give the Nanaimo Bar a run for its money. It has a hazelnut pastry base, cherry flavoured filling and white chocolate topping.
Then there’s Jen Francoeur’s delicacy, a lemon bar that won an award at the Pass Creek Fall Fair in Winlaw, B.C., north of Castlegar.
The list goes on, with new employees mass producing baked goods of all sorts daily.
Cat McCubbin is one of the friendly faces to greet customers at the door and is happy to be schmoozing here after 20 years in Abbotsford.
“Such a difference,” she said. “It’s so much quieter. The chaos is minimal.”
McCubbin was actually born on the Island in Victoria, but moved away with her dad being in the military and just returned to live in Ladysmith in 2021.
During her short time on the job, McCubbin is loving it. “We’ve had a lot of real positive responses from people,” she said. “We’ve been so well-received.”
Interesting conversations she’d had with people include the building’s history and the movies at the Caprice Theatre residents recall attending. One person mentioned seeing the original Star Wars there in the 1970s.
“I get these wonderful stories from people,” McCubbin enthused.
And now people are happy to go there for reruns of baking.
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don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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