Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Batten down the hatches . . . it's MARCH in New Mexico!


"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."  Charles Dickens


There really is no way to describe what it's like to sell bread at an open market with the wind howling and throwing gusts of 30+ mph at you. We've had some of our best market days when the weather is difficult. Our customers are amazing! But there came a point this past Saturday that I did consider whether or not we were loosing our minds as I watch the bacon and the eggs Tom was cooking on the grill go flying off in the wind! As one vendor hollered out as the bacon flew by his booth "watch out, the Pigs are flying!"



We did open our BakeHouse Bagel Booth with Grand Success on March 2nd. But it was a difficult day emotionally, for no sooner did we get both the BakeHouse Bread and the BakeHouse Bagel Booth set up, we received a phone call from El Paso, TX that my 27 year old cousin had passed away suddenly. Fortunately, my father-in-law, Tom Sr., was able to pack up my mom, Jolan, right away and take her to El Paso, about a 45 minute drive. 
Tom and I along with my mother-in-law, Rita and our wonderful new employee, Erin, served our customers. It's at times like these, when you have to function while your processing difficult news, that family is so extremely important. I feel in my heart that it's this very aspect that gives the BakeHouse it's unique personality. It is a blessing beyond words.

"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door"  Milton Berle

We had no idea when we added our bagels the the bread line up that we were actually creating an opportunity to expand our business. What started out as a simple desire to recreate the "real" bagel, has now turned in to it's very own business! We now have two very distinct Vendor Booths side by side. The BakeHouse Bagel Booth is introducing us to new customers because of the Bagel Sandwiches, which in turn, introduces those customers to our BakeHouse European Breads and vise versa. I have to say that this to me is truly a Win Win business opportunity!


Only folks from the East Coast are familiar with some of the items we serve.
It's been fun putting together all the advertising. It takes me back to all those
years I was a designer in the publishing industry!

And adding to our already exciting venture, we have now received official news that we have been given a permanent spot at the Las Cruces Farmer's and Crafter's Market! We've been told that we are being considered an Anchor Vendor for the block that we've been placed on. This is really, really important to us. Dave Ramsey would love it! It's like having your very own store front, but without all the overhead of having to own your own building. This weekend will be our first time at our new location, so I'm busy getting the word out, this blog being one of those vehicles. 

Letting folks know where to park is key!
Our new location gives our customers quick, easy
access to our booth.

The access alley is welcoming and will literally take
our customers right to our booth. No longer will they
have to wander up and down the long stretch looking for us!

We will be located in front of a store that has been a part of the Las Cruces
Downtown Mall for many, many years. We feel it a privilege to call this new
location our home! So on Saturdays, you'll find us at 200 S. Downtown Mall, Las Cruces, NM!
This is the weather forecast for this coming weekend: 

Saturday, 3/16/2013
clearClear. High of 84F. Winds from the West at 5 to 15 mph.

It is our hope that it holds true! My plan is to take lots of pictures, and I'm excited to have help in doing that since we'll be blessed with some extra help. A student from Germany, Tim, will be joining us for several Saturday's as part of his work study time here in the US. I'm looking forward to when some of our German customers come and Tim will be there to welcome them in German. What a surprise that will be!

Thank you to all of you who have joined us in this journey. Thoughtfully, Kath

2 comments:

  1. Love the post! Thanks for sharing.. it makes us feel in a small way that we are there with you. Good luck with the BakeHouse Bagels.. but I really don't think you need it! Love, Deb

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  2. Deb, there is not an experience that goes by with the BakeHouse that I don't think about and miss you my dear, dear friend. Big hugs - luv ya Kath

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