A new bakery opening at the Garvey Center called Jake’s Fresh Bakes is run by two friends who say the idea started as a joke.
Ethan Woodhams, 22, and Jacob Laflin, 20, were both enrolled in college, but because of struggles in their personal lives, school wasn’t working out, Woodhams said.
Both were skilled bakers, and friends told them they were good at it. People started jokingly suggesting that they open a bakery. Eventually, it stopped being a joke.
“We both liked baking and decided we wanted a new challenge in life,” Woodhams said.
The bakery, which will open to the public on Monday, Aug. 5, is in the space on the lower level of the Garvey Center , 220 W. Douglas, that Kira Watt’s Perfect Plate left vacant when it closed in January .
Laflin will be the main baker, and he’s known for his cinnamon rolls and his tres leches cupcakes, his partner said. The bakery also will sell cookies, brownies and pies. They may eventually add fresh-baked bread baking to their list of offerings but don’t have a timeline for that.