Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
NEW LOCATION — The Pastry Corner, owned by Cari Hutchinson has moved to its new location at 51 Bangor St. in Houlton. She is open Monday-Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. offering a variety of tasty treats. The Pastry Corner now has walk-in service for customers to come in and purchase their favorite pastries and coffee.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Cari Hutchinson, owner of the Pastry Corner, is celebrating this month.
Hutchinson’s business has a new location at 51 Bangor St., formerly Country Girl Collectibles, and the business is marking its 10th year anniversary.
“I am not a baker,” said Hutchinson with a laugh. Apparently, she has been fooling many people for a few years.
“It sure was not my dream,” she said with a smile. “I kind of went with it.”
Hutchinson is thankful that what started as a temporary business arrangement had the all the right ingredients to turn into a recipe for tasty success.
While managing Dow’s Market, Hutchinson was asked by the owner, Reggie Dow, to make some cookies to sell.
“We put them on the counter and they just sold,” she said. “It just got bigger and bigger.”
Hutchinson’s goods are sold from Houlton to Presque Isle at Peg’s Place, Cameron’s Market, Dow’s Market, JB Quick-Mart, Circle K on North Street, Big Stop, Doc’s Place, Shop ‘n Save, Littleton Pit Stop, Monticello Convenience Store, Sale and Shop, JP Cash, Bradley’s, Steaks ‘n Stuff and the Shamrock Café.
But, the new twist is that customers can go into her 51 Bangor St. location and purchase goods.
“People can come in and get a pastry and a coffee,” she said.
Besides her traditional whoopie pies, Rice Krispie squares topped with chocolate or butterscotch, coffee cake or pumpkin squares, customers can also try freshly-prepared doughnuts, which Hutchinson is quick to point out are not homemade.
“They are frozen, but they are a good product and I do not object to using a good product,” she said. “I have added my own whoopie pie and Boston Cream fillings to give them my signature taste.”
Hutchinson has discovered the whoopie pie filling doughnuts have become very popular among her clientele.
Hutchinson’s new bakery is an open floor plan, giving her more wall space than her previous location adjacent to the Shamrock Café. Hutchinson only gained a few square feet, but the openness lends itself to more equipment, storage and work space for herself and her employees, Tabitha Gogan, who has been working with Hutchison for over two years and Emily Prescott, who joined the crew last July.
The Pastry Corner continues to satisfy the sweet tooth of the community.
“I am surprised people have not got tired of it yet,” said Hutchinson. “I remember cooking the whoopie pies and asking Reggie how long I should cook them. He said until they stop buying them.”
And, that is what Hutchinson has done, despite the fact, she has tried different baked goods only to find her customers reverting back to the regular items.
The Pastry Corner is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
So, what is the next step?
“I have been thinking about adding consignment baked goods,” she said. “We have awesome bakers in the community.”
Hutchinson has seen many open bakeries and watched them close prematurely.
“There is a big overhead to get started,” she said. “I have started small and built slowly. Everyone likes to cook and as long as their kitchen is licensed, they can bring product to me to sell.”
To commemorate her 10 year anniversary, Hutchinson will be holding giveaways through the month of June. She encourages people to come in and sign up. On July 4th, the Pastry Corner will be participating for the first time in the Houlton July 4th parade, as Hutchinson will be offering those on the parade route a sampling of her “10 hundred” mini whoopie pies.
“I will section off every 100 so we have enough to make it around the loop and spread them out,” Hutchinson said.
“I do not have a plan,” said Hutchinson. “I have been just rolling with everything. It seems things have always fallen into place and worked out the way they were supposed to. I was given this. I did not ask for this. But, I have been blessed.”
Hutchinson also is a very popular cake maker. She bakes wedding and birthday cakes, along with her already well-liked product line.
Hutchinson encourages customers to come into the Pastry Corner to place their orders or to call her at 521-0026. Check out her Facebook page to see photographs of her cakes and other goodies.
“I do not feel like I work,” said Hutchinson. “I enjoy it. I am tired at the end of the day, but I am happy to be here and to see the people come through the door.”
