Tucked away in a quiet corner of Deception Bay, you’ll find some of the yummiest bakery goods at North Rise Bakery and Sandwich Bar.
These tasty morsels and everything else you see in-store are created at the hands of bakery owners Ashlee and Josh.
When Ashlee and Josh took over the business a little over six months ago, they knew running a small business wouldn’t be easy. What they didn’t expect was the whirlwind that would follow in those first few weeks.
“Anything that could have gone wrong did go wrong,” Ashlee said. “We got smashed with the cyclone straight away. Half of Deception Bay was without power, but people still lined up down past the IGA for pies and sausage rolls. It was chaos, but we sold hundreds that day.”
Baking certainly runs in the family. Josh has been a baker his whole life and Ashlee is a qualified baker and cake decorator.
“It just made sense to buy a bakery together,” she said. “Josh is definitely the better bread baker, but cakes are my thing. He can’t draw on a cake to save his life.”
The Bakery’s Offerings and Future
The couple’s approach sets them apart from many bakeries. Everything is made from scratch, with no premixes, and no shortcuts.
“We wanted to bring real baking back,” Ashlee said. “There’s actual love in what we do. Our sourdough is authentic; our pies are bigger and better and we have slowly seen customers who were hesitant at first return again and again.”
The menu has grown too, with a standout favourite being the Mexican pie – taco mince, beans, jalapenos, sour cream and cheese wrapped in golden pastry.
“It’s addictive,” Ashlee said. “Too many calories, but worth it.”
While they don’t have a salad bar, fresh sandwiches, rolls and toasties are made daily to order. Cakes and cupcakes are also becoming a growing part of the business, with Ashlee hoping to expand into catering for events, such as baby showers, in the near future.
Despite the early challenges, Ashlee said she was optimistic about the direction they are heading in. With Josh working the night shift in the bakery and Ashlee managing the shopfront during the day, the business has truly become a family affair.
“We pass each other in the doorway some days,” she said. “It’s a juggling act with our two girls as well, but we make it work.”
Reflecting on the journey so far, Ashlee remains positive.
“It’s been the hardest thing we’ve ever done, but also the most rewarding,” she said. “We’re still here, we’re growing, and we’re proud of what we’ve built.”
To find out more, follow North Rise Bakery on Facebook, give them a call on 3204 9765, or drop by and say hi.
North Rise Bakery & Sandwich Bar
- Shop 3, North Rise Shopping Village
- 1-7 Mariner Boulevard, Deception Bay
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