The Little Apron Bakestand will be open for business this weekend on Garfield Drive in Garrettsville. Fittingly, this mama and mini pop-up bakery has been open once a month since Mother’s Day weekend. The presence behind the Little Apron is five-year-old Ember Ickes (with help from her mom, Torrie). This enterprising young lady has been baking with mom since she was three years old. The avid baker, on her 4th birthday, received a full-sized stand mixer from her grandparents — in pink, of course. And now neighbors and new friends get to benefit from her baking passion.
Once a month, the mini baker sets the menu and works with her mama to create decadent items to restock the mini shop at the end of their drive. Recent offerings included home baked strawberry brownies, soft-baked chocolate sandwich cookies, and baked vanilla donuts with sprinkles (because sprinkles make everything more fun). In addition to their own items, the stand also features sourdough loaves and pretzels from Bre’s Sourdough Kitchen in Garrettsville and embroidered items including tote bags and keychains by Tallmadge Mama Embroidery.
While the Ickes family has only been in Garrettsville under five years, both Torrie and her husband are from small towns and wanted their family to have the same experience. They chose Garrettsville as the 1/2 way point between both families, and they’re embracing their new hometown by using local ingredients, including eggs from neighborhood chickens. The Bakestand was lovingly made to Ember’s specifications by her dad using reclaimed materials. The signage was created by Banner Bliss, a local vendor as well. And each month, unsold items are donated to local businesses. This little entrepreneur looks forward to starting Kindergarten after Labor Day.
This coming weekend, you’re Invited to a Lemonade Social at the Little Apron Bakestand. With any purchase from the stand on Saturday, July 25th from 10 am until noon, you’ll receive a complimentary glass of fresh lemonade to enjoy while you relax, visit, and soak in the cozy summer morning. “We’re inviting folks to stop by, chat with our Mini Baker, and make a sweet summer memory with us,” proud mama Torrie shared. “We can’t wait to share a glass with you!”
If you’re visiting the Garrettsville Farmers Market this Thursday, be sure and stop by to meet mini baker Ember and her mama Torrie. Find out more at Little Apron Bakeshop on Facebook or Instagram.
