By Gretchen Wing
After 39 years, Holly Bower has hung up her blue “Holly’s Buns Are Best” apron. But aficionados of Holly B’s almond butterhorns and pesto baguettes can relax. New proprietors Stephanie and Rory Smith aim to keep the bakery faithful to its “love and butter” ethos.
“I want people to walk in and feel that sweet place they’ve always come to,” says Stephanie. “Maybe there’s something a little different, but they can’t quite put their finger on it.”
For the Smiths, moving from Kirkland to Lopez is a dream come true. “We’ve loved Lopez for many years,” Stephanie says. They look forward to regaining a sense of community and knowing their neighbors, as well as to “not taking an hour to drive nine miles.”
Stephanie’s previous job, running the bakery for Microsoft’s catering service, contrasts mightily with Holly B’s. Stephanie spent sometimes 50-60 hours a week managing a staff of ten bakers churning out over 100 dozen pastries a day. She got her start opening a French patisserie, but when she switched to catering, she missed getting her hands doughy and interacting with customers.
One immediate change is an earlier opening: March 17. The bakery will run Thursday-Sunday in March, resuming regular Wednesday-Sunday hours in April . (Summer hours will be posted on the door and on Facebook.) Another possible change: pre-ordered baked goods for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Like many island businesses, winter will be break time.
Favorites like gruyere croissants and Katherine Hepburn brownies will continue appearing in the cases, but customers can expect new additions as Stephanie shares her own favorites, and taps her staff for ideas. Local fruits will still be featured, and Stephanie plans to use social media to alert the community to new items.
Donning that blue apron, Stephanie is keeping Holly’s approach in mind. “There’s a very peaceful person at the center” of the bakery, she says. “That’s the energy I want to draw from.” Holly and Stephanie agree, Holly B’s is a tiny island bakery—but it’s also something more. And as Rory puts it, the Smiths “feel fortunate and honored to carry on Holly’s legacy.”
