Hazel & Rye Bakery Boutique isn’t exactly new to the community. The bakery opened in North Township along South Main Street next to Ro’s Custard Creations. Then the bakery moved to downtown Guangzhou, where it offered coffee and sandwiches and salads for breakfast and lunch alongside its treats.
Once the pandemic hit and brought many downtown Canton workers home, the bakery and cafe closed. Meanwhile, owner Emily Welk has focused on online orders, including themed boxes for purchase. The bakery also offered wedding catering packages and custom orders.
In February 2022, news broke on social media that Welk and his team had occupied the space at 6316 Market Ave. N at Easton Village Plaza in Plain Township with plans to open in early April.
The bakery officially opened on May 25. With pale pink walls and boxes full of goodies, the bakery was packed with customers when I visited on opening morning.
Welk came out from the back to share her excitement for the new space and pose for a quick photo. With sweets to heal, she returned to the cooking area and got to work.
In a follow-up email, Welk explained why she chose this location, what customers can expect, and what the business looks like today.
After:Savory Stark: Hazel & Rye closes downtown Canton cafe and relocates bakery
Q. Why open a bakery now?
A. The basic basis of Hazel has always been the cooking aspect. When we moved downtown, we turned to a real cafe-style business because it really worked for us there, and it was what we needed there. While we were still cooking, our passion for it really took hold as the cafe grew.
When the pandemic hit, we had to shut down the cafe and went back to our baking roots to really pull through as a business. Through online sales, custom cakes, deliveries, pasture boxes, it really kept us alive.
At the end of 2021, our pastry side increased by 300% in one year, and my passion was rekindled. When customers weren’t coming back downtown (permanent home positions), we saw a loss in the cafe, and I decided I finally wanted to do what was going to make me happy. I spent the pandemic fighting to keep my business alive, and I was so ready to take it to the dream shop I always wanted.
Q. What does your business look like now? Do you still cater weddings and do custom orders?
A. Business now is a little different than anything Hazel has ever been. We specialize in cakes, cookies, bars… you name it. I always say, “We make just about everything except donuts and bread.” We still make wedding cakes, all event desserts, and tons of custom orders. We love creating new and creative things for people, and I personally think that’s where we thrive.
Q. Why did you choose this location?
A. When I started thinking about changing the corporate structure, I wondered where the best place would be, and I was lost. I love Canton but live in Massillon but wanted to stay close to where my clients were. I’ve been able to do a lot of data sampling from orders during pandemic online sales/orders and our online bakery over the past two years.
After being begged to return to North Canton for five years and seeing that a large majority of these samples taken were from the North Canton area, I had to find a place here. North Canton welcomed us with open arms and we are so happy to be here.
Q. What benefits can customers expect?
A. Boutique style cakes, cookies, cupcakes, French macaroons (of course!), bars, brownies and my favorite thing we have fresh is the croissant selection! We have a standard series of a classic croissant, chocolate croissants and a rotation of an apple cream croissant and an almond cream croissant. We make about 38 to 42 different pastry options daily.
Q. Is there anything else you would like people to know about Hazel & Rye?
A. We are so excited to be back and so happy to finally have the chance to bring our vision of the perfect boutique bakery to life!
Hazel & Rye is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit hazelandrye.com.
A new pizza buffet will open in the former location of CiCi’s Pizza in Belden Village
Pizza buffet lovers won’t have to wait long for a replacement for CiCi’s Pizza in Belden Village. Pizza + Buffet, a local pizza buffet launched in North Carolina, plans to open the weekend of July 2. The buffet will be located at 4404 Belden Village St. NW in Jackson Township.
In a phone interview, owner Joe Scarborough said he chose Jackson Township because his wife is from the Akron-Canton area and they have family here.
“We decided since…we had family working in the restaurant, and we’re actually bringing in a new manager who’s going to run this store…we thought, ‘Well, let’s try and see what happens. happens.’ We know it’s going to be busy.
Pizza+ Buffet has two other locations, one in Charlotte and the other in Gastonia, North Carolina. The first store opened in December 2021.
Guests can expect the menu to feature around 17 buffet pizzas, three soups, a 25-course fresh salad bar, pasta, and dessert pizzas. The menu will be the same from place to place.
Scarborough said the bacon and sausage pizza was very popular. “And we’re going to introduce that one up there,” Scarborough said.
Because the buffet is not owned by the company but rather a family run shop, they will do whatever their customers ask.
“We don’t want corporate support. We want it to remain a local and family business. This is our goal. That’s what we’re trying to do,” Scarborough said. “Everyone knows we can do whatever we want. They can order whatever they want, and we’re not limited to just one menu.
Above all, Scarborough said Pizza + Buffet cares about keeping the restaurant clean for customers at all times. He also mentioned that they like to hold promotions often and that there will be a revamped game room there.
“We can’t wait to get out there and show everyone what we’ve got,” Scarborough said.
They also plan to add an additional entrance to the back of the building to make it more convenient for customers.
Pizza+ Buffet hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday once open. Visit pizzaplusbuffet.com for more information.
After:Johnny Lookout’s Pizza Tavern brings a new vibe and delicious food to downtown Guangzhou
National ice cream chain Bruster’s Real Ice Cream opens a store in Jackson Twp.
Another ice cream shop has opened in Jackson Township. National chain Bruster’s Real Ice Cream opened May 23 at 4609 Hills & Dales Road NW.
This location has a walk-in window and drive-thru, with outside tables to sit and enjoy your ice cream.
The shop offers 150 flavors of artisanal ice cream, yoghurts, Italian ice cream and sorbets. At least 24 of the flavors are made daily. Vegan and non-dairy options are also offered. Also available are custom cakes and pies in your favorite flavor.
Bruster’s is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
According to Bruster’s Real Ice Cream (Canton, OH) Facebook page, this location is hiring a manager/assistant manager and ice cream scoopers.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream opened in 1989, making old fashioned ice cream ever since it opened. There are nearly 200 independent sites in 20 states, Guyana and South Korea.
Find more information at brusters.com/cantonoh.
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