Season 2 : Let’s Get Started
The Village Green Bakery Is Not Even a Year Old
Can you believe it? The Village Green Bakery is not even a year old, and I am already working hard to get ready for Season 2 at Victoria Beach!
This time last year the bakery, or the idea of starting a new business, wasn’t even on the radar.
Well here we are kicking off a new year and I am so eager to get back to the beach and back into the bakery.
Turns out I am not alone - Denis, Jade, Barbie, Robyn and most of the team are eager too and will be back! The BAND is getting back together and I couldn’t be more excited.
Personally, I have so much that I want us to introduce, streamline, improve on, work on and get better at! It is kinda like a ‘do-over’ but not really as we are just working to keep this amazing ship moving forward - bigger and better right?
Eeeek So Excited!
Open for Business in 2023
As much as I want to tell you that we are going to be open earlier - we most likely won’t be. Our bakery business model is NOT the same as the previous tenant - nor is it the same as most traditional bakeries.
Our schedule starts at 6 am (sometimes 5 am) and jumping right into feeding the yeast, folding and proofing the dough for Bread and Buns. This process can take up to four hours….rushing is not an option to ensure the freshness you deserve (and what we want to make). Most old school traditional bakeries can start as early as 3 am - ouch!!
Bread ready to be rolled out to the front
Our priority is bread - it has its own schedule we don’t want to mess with…and she won’t let us if we tried.
Typical VGB Baking Order : Bread, Cinnamon Buns, Pizza Buns, Pecan Loaves…and in between all of that we are sneaking in Pastries, Cookies and a few other goodies into the ovens. Let’s call this the Bakery Dance - or Oven Wars
Again remember - we are not your traditional bakery, we are seasonal (with a very short season), and we are not a wholesale seller. We bake to sell out - I don’t want ‘leftovers’ or wasted product. And to be super honest we don’t want to get up at 4 am. Do you??
The other small road block is our source of power - I can only push my electrical panel so far and trust me when I say - I push every ounce of voltage I have access to with my four ovens. If I could have a bigger oven I would…..and I could with the time and a whole lotta money!
Okay so with that being said - when are we opening in 2023….drum roll 🥁
“No renovations to slow us down!!! Let’s turn on the lights, water and power up the ovens! Let’s get baking!”
2023 VGB Hours
We are opening the season on the Sunday & Monday of the May 2023 Long weekend. The only roadblock would be the water being not on - however based on our winter so far (knock on wood) this shouldn’t be an issue.
Tentative Schedule
May Long - Sun & Mon 11 to 3 pm
May 27 & 28 - Sat & Sun 11 to 3 pm
Weekends of June 3, 10, & 24th - Sat & Sun 11 to 3 pm
June 26 - Aug 27th - 11 am to 4 pm
Note: The Saturday of May long is also a possibility - pending water situation. June 17th weekend TBD - grad weekend. Fall Hours to be released end of the summer
But Jen What about my Morning Coffee?
I hear ya! And your need for sugary buns and carbs at 9am (or earlier).
Personally I MUST have my coffee at 6 am and I know you would like us to be open earlier so you can get your delish Delcuas’s coffee…. and maybe something cinnamony - but coffee sales are not enough to open that early.
However I do have a plan - if you are up for it?
Imagine / Dream
I am working on a program where coffee WILL BE AVAILABLE in the morning (pending the weather).
I am working on ‘creating’ a coffee shack in the bakery yard to host self-serve coffee service.
The Coffee Shack will be able to support the Walkers, Bikers, Boot Campers, Kiddos and anyone else that comes on by to chill in the morning with a coffee and a gorgeous village green surrounding.
Dreaming big!
The goal will be to ensure the coffee crafts are full and ready for you starting at 9 am - and you never know there might also be some ‘left-overs’ left sugary carbs available for our friends too.
Coffee cards will be sold and self-managed. I am using the old school “Honor System” to drive the success of this program - and our community spirit.
Now to build a Coffee Shack! Any volunteers? I’ll supply the wood and the vision - and yes drinks/food will be also provided.
What’s Jen working on now?
I am still working on the book keeping - or maybe more like continuing to learn and streamline my skills in Quick Books. I recently committed to an Accounting firm so that will help me learn even more!
Did you Know?
In 2022 the Village Green Bakery employed 18 people. And about half of the team this was their very first job! So proud of them all!
I have also updated by Business Plan - which aligned with forecasting out the 2023 season. I will be using my plan to help ‘guide’ me through my business goals, but also to apply for any summer grant programs the business may be eligible for.
Since the year kicked off I have been spending a lot more time on the business in planning and plotting lol. There is so much I want to do in 2023….and my goal is to do it all! The google machine is running on full speed and the budget is constantly under review.
2023 Goals / Dreams
Did you know that if you write out your plans and/or goals there is a significant increase in the probability of achieving them? True Fact.
2022 1st Community Garden
In aligning with achieving and/or manifesting my own goals - here are my ‘hoop dreams’ for the 2023 Season!
Building a Bike Rack (actually this is a must!)
Expanding the Community Garden
Hosting Baking / Decorating classes
Building a Photo Bench
Building a Mobile and funky Coffee Shack
Hosting a Kids Market Fair at the Bakery
Purchasing a dough divider & rounder (unlikely!!)
Launching Coffee Card program
Now to work towards making all my goals happen!
Karen & Walter Stories / Lessons Learned
Let me start off by saying thank you huge to my family and my community. You both have been very protective of me, and some have encouraged me to ‘not read’ and definitely not respond to ‘well wishes’ like the stories of Karen & Walter. I appreciate your support and guidance as the business grows.
My theory is I need to share the good and the challenging - to find the lessons learned from them. Telling my stories is how I protect my own mental health….and maybe just maybe it may help someone else with a similar story. I know I am not alone.
Story #2:
Situation: Direct Message from social media - early Aug 2022.
K&W: “You know it’s a bakery right? We wish you well but think you are not focused on your main purpose.”
Jen: “Interesting. What’s my main purpose?”
95% retail items sold at VGB are made in Manitoba
K&W: “Baking. I just dont get the candles…..there are no dinner rolls or hamburger buns.”
Lesson Learned / Reminder: First off - uggggg. Really? I can’t please everyone.
I did respond and justify why there are not buns. As for the candles - again can’t please everyone.
Owning a business has lots of challenges - and a lot of the mental challenges that not talked about enough (in my opinion). I won’t shy away from the negative - even though I would like too. So I’ll share it - and discuss it. Even if it makes us a bit uncomfortable. However - I will always be respectful to the K&W’s - no names real will ever be used, or shared.
ps: There is this FABULOUS Store located NEXT DOOR to the Bakery. The VB Store is owned and operated by the AMAZING Lise. She and her teams do a stellar job running the store and ensures all your grocery needs are met - as well as lots of gift items for you! And guess what - her stores carry lots of buns - hot dog, hamburger, and dinner rolls :)
pps. The candles are staying. I love candles! And the charcuterie boxes will come back - they are too fun not too.
ppss. Did you know that buns are very very tedious to make by hand ? Can you imagine weighing out each small dough ball and then rolling each one. Rolling one in each hand is possible but jeesh it is a lot of work. A machine can do it - but it is very expensive for a seasonal business. Refer to first ps for alternative bun options.
Thank you for reading along.
I love to talk – and writing is an extension of that. It is up to you if you want to follow along.
If you know of someone that is not on social media but would be interested in getting the VGB Newsletter please share my email, or this link to sign up.
Jen
Owner, Baker, Mom, and other duties assumed.
Gift Cards Now Available
Looking to buy a gift card for the 2023 Season! Check out the new online program to buy a card, load your card or set up an account for the family! Easy peasy to use and easy to gift!