CADANCE KAPELES AND Erik Kraemer recently opened Harmony Hearth Bakery, specializing in sourdough bread, pastries and more. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)
IRON MOUNTAIN — Harmony Hearth Bakery opened its doors June 2, specializing in sourdough breads, cheesecakes, pastries and more.
Co-owner Cadance Kapeles always wanted to have a bakery of her own and partner Erik Kraemer convinced her the time was right.
“I worked at a bakery as one of my very first jobs and I really enjoyed it,” Kapeles said. “I have always been good at it, it has always been my dream.”
Both Kapeles and Kraemer are transplants to the Iron Mountain area. Kapeles came to Iron Mountain three years ago from Las Vegas, where she worked in a French bakery, to follow her parents, who made the move earlier. Kraemer relocated from Appleton, Wis., in 2014.
After deciding in October to start the bakery, Kapeles and Kraemer began searching for a location. They closed Jan. 31 on the building at 1042 Carpenter Ave. — formerly Grub N Run 906 — and began a months-long remodeling and cleaning project.
HARMONY HEARTH BAKERY is at 1042 Carpenter Ave. in Iron Mountain. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)
The upstairs — future location of a massage studio — was gutted completely. Downstairs, some cabinets by the counter were removed and flooring patched for the bakery.
When Kapeles and Kraemer discovered what the previous occupant used to make pizzas did not suit their needs, moving the nearly one-ton oven proved to be the biggest task of the whole project.
Sourdough breads are the signature item at Harmony Hearth Bakery, along with baguettes. Kapeles also features daily specialty loaves that have included honey oat, jalapeno cheddar and cinnamon roll.
For those with a sweet tooth, Harmony Hearth Bakery has blueberry and raspberry cheesecakes and a gluten-free plain cheesecake; apple, blueberry and raspberry turnovers; lemon bars; stuffed cookies; and tiramisu.
The tiramisu has proven to be one of the most popular items Harmony Hearth Bakery offers, selling out most days.
Kapeles added that Harmony Hearth Bakery is available for custom orders, including cakes, cupcakes, pies, breads — pretty much anything imaginable.
Kapeles, who manages the business and does the baking, said she is always looking for new ideas to try at her bakery. Kraemer helps out wherever he can in the bakery and will open the upstairs massage studio next month.
“I get a lot of inspiration from the bakery that I worked at as well as I am on Instagram, which is very helpful to get all sorts of odd creations,” Kapeles said. “And Erik has a very wild mind and comes up with concoctions that actually sound good.”
Since opening last week, Kapeles reports business has been very good. She logged 80 hours in that first week, trying to figure out just how much to bake every day and not sell themselves short or overdo it.
In the future, Kapeles said they plan to add some seating and broaden the offerings to include more pastries, sandwiches and soups.
Harmony Hearth Bakery is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. Harmony Hearth Bakery can also be found every week at the Aurora and Iron Mountain farmers markets.
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The Daily News plans to highlight some of the new business owners in the region. Know of a business that recently opened or changed hands? Contact Jim Paul at 906-774-2772, ext. 85229, or jpaul@ironmountaindailynews.com.
