New bakery officially opens its doors on West Main in Stanley
By Randy Arrington
STANLEY, July 12 — She didn’t know it at the time, but Crystal Turner first sprouted her love for cooking while snapping string beans with her grandma Phyllis Richard and watching “One Life to Live.” She loved her grandma’s brownies with pecans, and she loved being in the kitchen. Phyllis provided the instruction, and her husband Therman provided the inspiration.
“My grandfather would tell me, ‘You are too damn good, and that’s why people want your pastries’…so I took his advice,” Crystal said on Saturday. “He died and didn’t get to see this, but I’m doing this because he believed in me.”
More than 50 folks crammed into Love & Sweets Bakery along West Main Street in Stanley on Saturday morning to celebrate the new eatery’s grand opening and a ribbon cutting hosted by the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce.
“This is truly a warm welcome for her,” Chamber President Gina Hilliard told the packed crowd. “Thank you for investing in and opening a brick and mortar opportunity here in the Town of Stanley.”
After starting out in January supplying sweet treats for The Coffee Shop further east on Main Street, Crystal finally made a decade-long dream come true in recent weeks when she moved the business out of her home and held a soft opening on West Main Street for her own bakery.
“It’s amazing…it’s a blessing,” she said of the capacity crowd at Saturday’s grand opening. “It was all in due time. I knew I needed to do this…if I fail, I fail — but I needed to try it.”
“We had talked about doing this for more than 10 years and we were always afraid of doing it…afraid of spending the money,” her husband Shandy told PVN.
Although Crystal heavily credits her husband (and really her entire family) for pushing her to follow her dreams, she received some additional confidence after winning a charity baker’s challenge in Harrisonburg last year with her “midnight moose cake.” It contains “chocolate, raspberries…and more chocolate.” No other ingredients or cooking instructions were revealed.
In addition to a long line of sweets, Love & Sweets Bakery will bake fresh bread, offer a variety of sandwiches and salads (make sure you try the grilled cheese), and offer a selection of drinks including tea, lemonade, coffee and sodas.
The entrance to the bakery is located on the side of the building that houses Total Look hair salon. Suzanna Painter, who owns the hair salon, purchased the building from Tom Wright. Parking is located in the rear of the building, with steps leading up to the bakery entrance.
“I also want to thank you for investing in our town,” Mayor Michael Knight told Crystal on Saturday. “We love to see new business in our town… especially one that brings sweets.”
Love & Sweets Bakery plans to partner with various local organizations and businesses to get the “sweet truth” out about Crystal true talents. In September, the bakery will provide desserts for a Page Paws event, and they hope to work with Wysteria Farm & Vineyard for special events as well.
“I love seeing everyone smile when they eat something sweet,” Crystal said.
“It’s not just about baking, it’s about community.”
Love & Sweets Bakery, 804B West Main Street in Stanley, is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Orders may be placed in advance by calling (540) 669-7958. Visit them online at loveandsweets.com
•••
RELATED ARTICLES
Chamber honors local businesses and volunteer during 99th annual banquet
Total Look celebrates new look at new location with more staff and more services
The Coffee Shop offers new haven for women through ministry and music
Daughter of the Stars Theater and Cultural Center holds Open House
Be the first to comment