Bakeries rise in the recession

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - Despite the recession one type of business is rising to the top. Small bakeries in the area continue to whip up dollars.

Many businesses are just scraping by, but bakeries like Mammaw's in Brookston say earning money during the recession is frosting on the cake.

"Our business has been really good this year especially with birthday cakes, wedding cakes, anniversary cakes, graduation cakes a couple weeks ago," said Aaron Brown of Mammaw's.

Quality takes the cake for O'Rear's Pastry Shop in Lafayette.

"Ninety percent of things we bake and make are from scratch. We do the best quality we can possibility do. One things that helps us a lot is specialty cakes," said O'Rear's owner Greg Lintner.

Custom cakes include picnic themed pastries--hamburgers, grills, and utensils. Creativity is O'Rear's special spice that keeps customers coming in their door.

"We found out this year and God bless the community, they are spending more on holidays," said Lintner.

Katy Gunderson is mixing it up at the Yellow Bowl Bakery with all natural cupcakes like Irish Car Bombs and Ice Cream Sundae cupcakes.

"I asked people what they wanted as far as baked goods and every one wanted a place where they could get a cupcake," she explained.

She just open her bakery on Lafayette's Main Street. She said she was nervous about beginning a business in a recession, but has sold out of cupcakes everyday. Challenging economic times have shut many businesses down, but small bakeries share their secret success ingredient:

"People are willing to pay a little more for someone they trust, someone who they feel will call them right away," said Gunderson.

"We try to focus more attention to detail and taking care of the customers face to face and giving them exactly what they want," said Brown.

Even with a sour economy, there's a demand for something sweet.

All the bakeries offer more than just desserts. They each cook up a variety of baked goods.