New bakery coming to Ti's Montcalm Street

TICONDEROGA | It's not uncommon for two friends to talk about opening a business together. What is uncommon is for that half-joking, half-wistful pipe dreaming to move from the imaginary domain into reality. However, in Ticonderoga, that is exactly what is happening. Melissa Sharrow and Tonya Hargett, two talented and determined single mothers, are about to take a chance on Montcalm Street. "Bak'd" their new collaborative venture, is set to open its doors any day now, finally bringing to town what has been a long time lacking- a professional bakery. "We are very independent women, we have done everything on our own, and now we are doing this on our own," Hargett reflected. "This is a very scary venture. I have a home and I have a lot to lose, so does Melissa." But that fear isn't holding them back. They are both all in. Both Hargett and Sharrow had tossed around the idea of having a brick-and-mortar business in town for a while. However, financial constraints always seemed to get in the way. But in the time-old tale of never knowing where life will ultimately take you, the stars have seemingly aligned, and the bright, sunny, and recently renovated building at 43 Montcalm Street became available. The two self-taught bakers have been busy revamping the space and making it their own. In addition to the pictures of their products that will adorn the walls, Sharrow and Hargett are also hanging their hopes and dreams. The ladies aren't walking into their new venture blind- both are bringing tried and true products to their collaborative arena. Sharrow (who at the end of this month will earn her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management) has been baking for the past two decades, and has cemented herself in town as the go-to for special occasion delights with her established business "Shades of Cake." Hargett founded the well-known "Three Chicks Charcuterie" and, by chance, stumbled into cheesecake making. "I work at the mill, and we were having a BBQ that required employees to bring a dish," Hargett recalled. "I tried out a caramel delight cookie cheesecake recipe, and four out of six people said they'd buy one." From there, the business spiraled. Hargett got certified, set up a kitchen, and grew her cheesecake selections to a hearty list of 75 flavors, all of which will be available for custom order at Bak'd. Not only that, Bak'd's products had an excellent test run this past summer as Hargett and Sharrow introduced the official product line at the Ticonderoga Area Farmers Market every Saturday. Not only was feedback positive with very little left over (which was always donated to local businesses or organizations), they made enough to entirely cover the purchase of new equipment for their flagship location. Having pleased and repeat customers has assuaged their nerves (to some extent), able to see that there is indeed a demand and a niche that Bak'd will be fulfilling. "We offer scones, turnovers, breakfast pastries, cinnamon rolls, cakes, cookies, pies, cheesecakes, and cakes," Sharrow said, adding that all will be available for order as well as always fully stocked in the bakery's display cases. But what is the incentive for customers to choose Bak'd birthday and cupcakes for events, when there is a big box store just up the road with its appealing price tag? In the two culinary masterminds' opinions, it's all in what consumers' priorities are, and what their preference for freshness is. When you purchase an item from Bak'd, it isn't merely about the flavor or the design of the item, but the work and the ingredients that go into its creation. There are no chemicals, no preservatives, no fillers, and no questionable additives. "Everything is 100 percent made from scratch with fresh, real ingredients," Sharrow assured. "If you do care about what ingredients are going into your cake, we are the place to trust." Every night, the ladies are at home for hours baking, incorporating local elements from farmers, producers, and stands into their products. And the prices will, as expected, reflect that distinction and effort. "Our biggest thing is collaboration," Sharrow continued. "I have reached out to a local maple producer to include their product in our baking and have a display in the store, and we will also have other vendors' items within the bakery." Bak'd will also be a place for people to sit and relax (every purchase even receives a complimentary cup of coffee or hot chocolate). An inviting setup greets customers as they enter, with tasteful design choices mixing with cheerful decor. Outside seating is on the list, as well as catering to the community- paint and sips, cookie decorating nights, and book club meetings are all goals once the business gets off the ground. "We are not looking to take business from anyone, there is a big enough pie in this town for everyone to have a slice," Hargett noted. "We are hoping everyone embraces us." Keep your eyes peeled for the open sign aglow in the window; the girls should be open for business any day now, they are just waiting on the Department of Agriculture. In the meantime, please follow Bak'd on Facebook and Instagram for updates and the announcement of their forthcoming website for orders.

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New bakery coming to Ti's Montcalm Street

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