Delicious comeback

When two food families join forces, the results can be delicious.

The unique blend of Rich pasties and Tahja baked goods has been a weekly mainstay at the Elks Club for three years. Now the Wednesday Bakery is serving up its pies, cookies, breads and pasties from a new location. After a four-month hiatus, the business opened its new space at 1202 Ogden Ave. on April 25.

Early birds will be happy with the move. The bakery now opens its doors at 7 a.m. and closes down at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday.

“I think it’s absolutely fantastic,” said Joanne Freiman as she rang up sales. “I’m excited about the new location for them. I think it’s a great opportunity.”

Rows of fresh-baked bread — Italian, Swedish rye and whole grain — sat cooling on a table waiting to be brushed with a light coat of butter Wednesday. Pies rotated in a glass case. Rows of cookies rested on trays and frosted cinnamon rolls were wrapped and ready for take-out.

“It just smells so great,” said Lisa Evans of Solon Springs, who stopped by to see the store, located in the former city garage building. The site also serves as the special events kitchen for Vintage Italian Pizza.

The bakery and its parent business, Rich Cuisine and Catering, are backed with a lifetime of food preparation experience. Tom Rich brought the pasty side of the business with him. His parents ran Rich’s Pasties in Superior from 1983-1993. Marriage to his wife Jessica brought another branch to the family food tree. Her mother, Kathleen “Cookie” Tahja, was master baker at the Bridgeman’s Embers in Floodwood, Minn. Tahja learned to make pies and baked goods from her own mother, who also held the master baker position.

Blending the family strengths proved to be a recipe for success. Since launching the weekly bake shop, employees have continued to tweak and refine products.

“Our whole grain bread is fantastic,” Rich said. Tahja’s recipe is great, he said, but baker Kristi Hutton has brought it to a whole new level.

“It’s like nothing I’ve ever tasted,” he said. “I don’t even know what she puts in there.”

Everyone has a favorite at the bakery — whether it’s the strawberry rhubarb pie, the apple pie bars or the pasties, brimming with meat and vegetables.

“Their bread’s delicious and I love their peanut butter cookies,” Evans said.

“And their pies and their cakes,” said her husband Paul.

Although the bakery has many of the basics, customers interested in large quantities of an item or specialty items like cream pies should call ahead, (715) 392-3234 or (218) 349-5659, to place their order.

Rich Cuisine and Catering also provides catering for all occasions from the business’ dual bases in Superior and Floodwood. They have served more than 700 people at three different weddings on a single day, Rich said, and provide catering in a wide area that extends as far as Iron River, Oulu and Danbury. From meals for hundreds to simple suppers at home, the business delivers. Evans said Rich served up a pasta party at her mother’s house that was great fun.

“Their food is delicious,” she said. “Their customer service is amazing.”

For information, go to www.richcatering.com.

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