Marcia Cole, owner of Cake Thyme in downtown Hillsdale, saw her dream realized Saturday, Oct. 5, at the grand opening of her bakery’s storefront. After working from a booth at the Hillsdale Farmer’s Market and on an order-by-order basis for a few years, Cole’s shop is now open for business.
“This has been kind of a scary venture for me,” Cole said outside the shop before cutting the ribbon. “Every little move I’ve jumped into has been good but scary.”
Cole is currently working under Cottage Food Laws, which allow her to continue her baking at home while operating the storefront, though she said transporting the goods can be difficult. Her next step will include getting the state licensing for a kitchen in the store.
“I want to make sure this goes before I sink thousands more in,” Cole said.
Cole has taken her business slowly, regrouping at every step to ensure things are going well enough to warrant continuing.
“I am incredibly proud of her. It’s nice to see her do this, and to do this in stages. I think a lot of people just jump in – which is admirable – but it’s nice to see someone take it slowly and build up a name in the community. It’s important to find out what works for you and your family and your community,” Cole’s daughter, Jessi Cole Jackson said.
“Her whole purpose is to not be a competitor for Walmart or Market House which have their own niche,” Jackson said. “She wants to have a different sort of product for people who want something that’s a little different or maybe something more special.”
With approximately 40 supporters from the community, other local businesses, and local government, Cake Thyme’s ribbon cutting ceremony occurred at 11 a.m. despite the untimely rain.
Other local businesses sent flowers and congratulations to Cole, welcoming her warmly to the small business community.
“We’re very excited to have her here,” said Jane Stewart, owner of Smith’s Flowers. “Marcia has been doing this for a while down at the farmer’s market, but we’re just very excited she has a storefront now.”
Cole has also received support from the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s exciting to see someone take a building and rehab it. And, of course, it’s wonderful to have something like this that doesn’t exist in the market anywhere in the county,” Christine Bowman, executive director of the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce said. “One of the things that really impressed me about Marcia that you don’t always see in new entrepreneurs is that she has really done a fantastic job of creating her brand.”
Cake Thyme offers an energetic, colorful workspace with a wide variety of cupcakes and treats for sale.
“These are worth prioritizing your whole diet around,” Stewart said.
Whether it’s a place for studying, or a sweet tooth that needs satisfying, Cole hopes to create a space for all to enjoy.
“I hope that Cake Thyme can add to what Hillsdale is already doing really, really well,” Cole said. “I want it to be a place of celebration where you can bring bring your friends where you can think about the good things we have in life, and if you ever need a cake, come and see me.”
