The Broadview Bakery has officially changed hands, but new owners Darby and Lenore Bryant want to reassure everyone that none of the baked goods they’ve grown so fond of over the years are going to change.
“Right now we’re planning on keeping it exactly the same,” Darby said.
Ed Koolloos, who owned the bakery along with his wife Gaylene, is staying on to help with the baking, so Broadview Bakery-lovers shouldn’t notice any change in taste or quality.
The one thing that seems to have caused the most concern among Broadview residents has been the rumour that their famous bread will be changing.
“The answer is no, the recipe’s staying the same,” Darby laughed.
He and Lenore moved to Broadview from Moose Jaw in mid-June. Darby grew up in Broadview, and jumped at the chance to come back to his home town.
“All my family’s still here in Broadview, and we just wanted to get back to a small town and try a business of our own,” he said.
Prior to their purchase of the bakery, Darby was working as a pipefitter/welder, and Lenore was working at a care home, so this venture is quite a leap for the couple.
“We’re just excited about trying something new. You only live once, so why not?” Darby said.
The couple had also grown weary of their hectic lifestyle and wanted to do something that would give them more time to spend with their family, which includes three children: Tiffany, who is in her early twenties; Bowman, 7; and Logann, 9.
“I also do lots of hunting and fishing and stuff like that - that’s one of the reasons I wanted to come back here. And just the small-town atmosphere.”
The Bryants don’t have any previous experience with owning their own business, and the help they’ve received from the rest of the bakery staff has been crucial in making the transition a smooth one.
“We’re learning as we go, with lots of help from Eddie and his wife Gaylene, and the girls that worked here before. Without that, we couldn’t do it.”
Lenore also insists that it just wouldn’t have been possible without the help they’ve received.
“We couldn’t have done it, if Eddie hadn’t said that he would stay,” she said firmly.
She also credits Gaylene with easing her frazzled mind about all of the new things she has been learning.
“She was such a big, big help, because I had eight million questions,” she laughed.
All of the help they’ve received has allowed her to relax and enjoy the experience.
“I’m just enjoying doing something different and learning new things,” she said.
She feels that the help of the Koolloos’ and the rest of the staff is the number one reason why they’ve gotten off to such a smooth start.
“It’s not frustrating and it’s not hard - and it’s never going to be like that, because we have them,” she said.
Starting July 19, the bakery will be open Monday to Friday and closed Saturday and Sunday.
