A trip to Oak Harbor’s newest bakery will have some people reminiscing.
Kakie’s Donuts and Bakery, owned by sisters Karen Hossfeld and Dianne Varshock, are baking an orange bread every Saturday. The treat will bring back memories of the Chris’ Bakery specialty for some longtime North Whidbey residents. That family-owned business closed about a decade ago.
The new family-owned bakery has been producing made-from-scratch baked goods from its Pioneer Way storefront for several months.
“The idea behind this is to use as much of the resources in the community to produce the healthiest and freshest foods,” Hossfeld said. She stressed that the bakery doesn’t use mixes and has purchased ingredients from Crescent Harbor Farm and Five Acre Farm.
The opening of Kakies has been a long-time dream for Hossfeld, who recently had a career in banking in the United States and Italy before coming back to Oak Harbor several years ago.
“I’ve always wanted to own a bakery since I was very young,” Hossfeld said. She had even gone through culinary arts school in San Diego in the 1970s, but she said it was difficult for a woman at the time to work in such an environment. She eventually whet back to college, got a degree in business administration and entered the banking industry.
She moved back to Oak Harbor in 1997. Her parents had moved here after her dad retired from the Navy. Hossfeld said her dad piloted one of the last planes that departed the seaplane base.
Prior to opening her Pioneer Way storefront, she made specialty cakes out of her home and learned a lot about food while she was living in Italy.
Kakies Bakery is also serving as a training ground for people looking into a culinary career. She described her employees as “green” as they are still learning the ins and outs of the bakery business. The bakery employees eight people. Like the former bakery, Kakies will remain family owned and several of Hossfeld’s relatives are working. In addition to Dianne, Hossfeld’s two daughters are also baking in the shop.
Kakies is operating out of a location that has been the home to several restaurants in recent years. The spot has been home to Pioneer Cafe, Dave’s Bistro and Bay City Bistro.
Hossfeld hopes she’ll be more successful. She said people have enjoyed her baked items and she is planning to increase her selection by soon offering soups and sandwiches.
Kakies Donuts and Bakery is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sunday and Monday.
For more information, call 360-682-6464.
