Holly B's Bakery

12/23/2024

It’s been a very, very busy few weeks behind the scenes at the bakery. We’ve been figuring out everything from new bakers and schedules to payroll platforms and wholesale accounts. As a new business owner in a new industry, the learning curve is steep—but the patience, good cheer, high fives, hugs, and hot tips from so many neighbor businesses have been *amazing*. Thank you !! A big thank you, too, to Steph and Rory Smith—I for sure couldn’t have gotten through these weeks without your help! 🙏

This week, Bryan Nguyen was star baker assisted by .iren & Ava Bennett. They made treats for our usual neighbors plus one special, surprise delivery to Post Master Krista Nixon and her crew to say THANK YOU for handling all our holiday mail. When you work at the PO, the holiday crush is real! 💌

I wish we had time to do holiday cookie boxes for everyone this year, but we’ve got to take one step at a time. The cookie box pictured here came to me from a friend and it made me so happy. I loved the alfajores (“eat today” the note said…okay, twist my arm!) and the chocolate tahini shortbread edged with beautiful black and white sesame seeds. Did you make or receive any favorite cookies this year? I want to hear.

Besides the new business craziness, December is already a lot for my family. After the whammy of Thanksgiving and two grandparent birthdays in November, we gear up to celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, and our son’s birthday. Today, he had some friends to celebrate and I baked a chocolate Guinness cake (his request). To me, baking a cake for someone’s birthday is one of the best things there is. Let me know if you think of something better.

Today also brought the news of a dear childhood friend’s unexpected passing. This is a time of so much sweetness and still the dark is all around. Hold your loved ones close. Help someone out. Eat all the cookies, then go for a walk, if you can, and drink in the stars. Gather up the light, let it fill you up, and send it back out. ⭐️

12/05/2024

Hi, friends. My name is Margot. I’m so delighted to be here, honored to take the reins from Stephanie, and excited to work with the team of talented bakers at Holly B’s.

I learned to bake from my Grandma Anna. More than recipes for chocolate bar cake, macaroons, and rugelach, she taught me that making people feel welcome is a good deed—and usually all it takes is an open door and something sweet.

My family and I split our time between Tacoma and Lopez. When we’re not at school or at work, you can find us writing poems, tending our fruit trees, cross-country skiing, or playing D&D. We also have a doodle named Maggie who *definitely* wants to meet you.

This winter, the bakery will provide regular goods for and while we dream up some new things for spring. We anticipate re-opening for the season in April, as usual—but some fun things might happen between now and then, so stick around for updates!

I love that Holly B’s has been a warm place to gather, a great place to work, and a support to its neighbors for almost 50 years. I look forward to keeping it that way. And I look forward to meeting you when you come by for a treat!

🍪🍪🍪

12/03/2024

Hello, all! Holly B’s Bakery doors are officially closed for the winter. (Just wanted to show off these sweet upcycled luminaries that are all over the village!)
Thank you everyone for another great season!

Now for some BIG exciting news! 🗞️
I have handed over the reins to a new owner, someone ready to carry on the love & butter! It is my pleasure to introduce you all to Margot Case, someone many of you may already know. Margot and her husband, Scott, have been Holly B’s customers since 1998. Together with their son, Toby, they split their time between Lopez and Tacoma. With the purchase of the bakery, they are thrilled to be even more invested in the Lopez community and look forward to working with you. 
And yes, Rory and I are staying on island!

Thank you all for nearly a decade of support and encouragement. Stay tuned for updates from your new Holly B’s owner, Margot! ✨

❤️&🧈,
Stephanie

12/03/2024

Thank you for a wonderful 2024 season! We're closed for winter break.
We will continue to bake for Isabel's Espresso, Lopez Grind, and Blossom.

11/23/2024

Holly B’s will be open just 2 more weekends until we close for the season! December 1st will be the last day you’re able to come by the bakery storefront.

Come on in to stock up on sourdough loaves and pop them in your freezer for endless possibilities over the winter. 🍞

Ask about pie dough at the counter (actual pie 🥧 and pizza pie🍕) for holiday baking and for everyday use! ☺️

We also have a lot of fun retail goods for home baking and items to fill out your pantry. Some great gift ideas are there on our retail shelves, too!

We’re also on the with sourdough loaves, granola and pizza dough. Place those orders by Sunday night for local pickup each Wednesday.

Hope to see you soon! ❤️🧈

11/08/2024

Only 4 more weekends until the bakery storefront will close up for the season! We’ll be here Friday through Sunday, 7am-1pm through Sunday, December 1st.

Come on in to Holly’s over the coming weekends and stock up for the winter! Pastries like our Almond Butterhorns and our sourdough loaves freeze beautifully for you to thaw or reheat whenever you please. We’ve also got sourdough pizza dough, sweet or savory granola, and lots of great baking and retail goodies.

We are also on the offering our sourdough breads, granola and sourdough pizza dough to add to your basket when you’re placing orders for other local island goods for local pickup. 👍

See you soon!!! ❤️🧈

10/10/2024

Hi hello! The bakery doors will be back open tomorrow, Friday the 11th! See you here from 7am - 1pm!
❤️🧈🥐

10/09/2024

A vote YES will also allow the county to continue to collect the .05% R**T that supports affordable housing.

Renew Our Land Bank Informational Open House Re: Proposition 1 - Conservation R**T Renewal
Oct 9, 2024
4:30 - 6:30pm
Grace Episcopal Church
On November 5th, San Juan County voters will have the opportunity to renew the 1% real estate excise tax for our Conservation Land Bank to continue protecting our water, forests and farmland, and our Home Fund for affordable housing. The one-time tax is paid by property buyers and for 34 years it’s helped make life better in the San Juans for all of us.

If you'd like more information about this proposition or about the Conservation Land Bank please stop by.

10/09/2024

A yes vote helps preserve affordable housing!

Renew Our Land Bank Informational Open House Re: Proposition 1 - Conservation R**T Renewal
Oct 9, 2024
4:30 - 6:30pm
Grace Episcopal Church
On November 5th, San Juan County voters will have the opportunity to renew the 1% real estate excise tax for our Conservation Land Bank to continue protecting our water, forests and farmland, and our Home Fund for affordable housing. The one-time tax is paid by property buyers and for 34 years it’s helped make life better in the San Juans for all of us.
A vote YES will also allow the county to continue to collect the .05% R**T that supports affordable housing.

LopezRocks - a community website by Lopez Island

09/28/2024

Happy weekend! We are Open Saturday & Sunday the 28th & 29th, then closing the bakery storefront for just a little break. Holly’s will be back open on Friday, October 11th!

Come on in today & tomorrow and stock up on your favorites! In the meantime, find some of our goods on the Food Hub and at our regular Lopez partners, !

09/20/2024

Late Summer, early Fall delights around the San Juan Islands. 🌞🌾

- Local cauliflower from for Savory Cauliflower Cake 🍴
- Picking pears 🍐
- Changing aspens 🌳
- Maybr the cutest thing one could ever stumble upon in a flower garden?! 🐸🌸😍

Happy Autumn Equinox this weekend! 🍂