Uptown bakery opens Monday

Rosie Statt stands in her new commercial kitchen at 316 Oak St., which will open May 21, 2018 as the Sugar and Spice Bakery.
Rosie Statt stands in her new commercial kitchen at 316 Oak St., which will open May 21, 2018 as the Sugar and Spice Bakery.

One of Rosie Statt's earliest baking memories is waking up way before dawn to help her grandmother fry doughnuts in a shop behind a southern Missouri truck stop. She loved baking and spending time with Grandma Hindel. But, more than that, she noticed the customer's reactions to the smells and tastes.

Since then, she has carried the dream of owning her own bakery.

That dream will become a reality May 21, when the Sugar and Spice Bakery opens at 316 Oak St. She will serve free doughnuts and cookies 7 a.m.-3 p.m. And other baked goods will be available.

The bakery, owned as GRCK Bakery, LLC, is a partnership with Statt's younger sisters - Cheyenne Hindel and Kendra Hindel. They all share the memories of baking with their grandmother, a young widow who operated the business to support herself.

The Hindel family relocated to the Barnett area a few years ago. After Statt married, Garrison, three years ago, the couple kept a look out for the bakery opportunity.

Then, the Statts happened into California during a parade day. They stopped and found the town to be "magical and friendly." Last fall, they bought a house, which is now just a few blocks' walk from her storefront.

"Everything fell into place; after years of dreaming with nothing happening," Statt said. "I've been overwhelmed by the community support already."

Since word began to spread that a bakery was opening next door to Grind, a coffee shop with a grand opening June 1, Statt said strangers have sought her out to express their appreciation and anticipation.

"I like the small-town feel, like everybody knows everybody," she said. "I hope to blend in with that."

Learning the business side of things - health codes, paperwork and processes - has been a little more daunting. She also had to quit her full-time job at Lehman's Restaurant, Versailles.

"It's terrifying," she said. "But, if I didn't try it, I would always regret it."

The bakery itself is a small space, but that was by design. It is basically the kitchen and a sales counter, but she hopes to add a cozy space. It will be mostly a take-and-go operation, though.

Eventually, she would like to grow the business into a larger location with a more elegant, tea house-like atmosphere, Statt said.

Not everyone enjoys creating in the kitchen, like she does, she noted. So, her goal from Day One will be to provide a nostalgic experience, "like stepping into grandma's kitchen."

She and her sisters have been perfecting their grandmother's go-to recipes, including chocolate chip cookies, monster cookies, ranger cookies and chocolate crinkles. They're also experimenting with new flavors and combinations.

In addition to cookies, the bakery will make cinnamon rolls, coffee cake, cupcakes, pudding and other baked treats. They also will take special orders.

"It's fun and satisfying to work on something and see it turnout and then see people enjoy it," Statt said.

The business hours will be 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.

Call 573-552-1508 or visit them on Facebook for more information.