By Melissa Wagoner
Megan Ireland’s love of baking has its roots in the very heart of her childhood.
“My mom baked and I always liked licking the beater,” Ireland recalled. “And when she made pies, I used up the scraps.”
Then, at Silverton High School, Ireland began taking Culinary Arts classes from Zelma Cannon and her love for making things beautiful in the kitchen only grew.
“Mrs. Cannon was a real gift,” Ireland said. “She helped build my passion for food and for culinary arts.”
So much so that, after her graduation, Ireland entered the culinary program at Linn-Benton Community College and then the restaurant world opened up. She worked in catering, fine dining, ran her own bakery, and gained more from those years of hands-on experience.
That education and experience became especially important when, just over a year ago, Ben Johnston – an agent with Johnco Investments in Silverton – called to ask if Ireland would be interested in opening a bakery in her hometown of Silverton – where so many of her friends and family still reside.
“I would have been stupid to say no,” Ireland laughed.
So she said yes, opening the doors the Silverton Bake Shop – located in the refurbished Silverton Flower Shop Building – for the first time on Valentine’s Day 2022.
“We ran out of cookies within an hour and a half,” Ireland said. The community support was above and beyond anything she had expected. “We ran out of everything else but muffins by noon.”
Since that day, Ireland and her staff of seven have been kept busy doubling, tripling and quadrupling recipes, in order to keep up with the demand for Ireland’s fresh-made pastries – especially her line of scones.
Ireland encourages anyone looking for a particular treat, or who has an especially large order, to call or email ahead.
“I need four days at least because it’s just me and one other girl in the back,” she added.
And the rest of the staff? They’re busy in the front of the house, boxing orders or making drinks in the popular espresso and tea bar that often boasts lines of customers nearly out the door.
Some of those customers have been asking if the Silverton Bake Shop will be expanding into sandwiches, bread or donuts in the future.
“I want to compliment the community,” she said of the many types of foods other Silverton businesses offer. “I just want to enhance what’s already here.
“It goes along with a lot of nostalgia of growing up and baking cookies. So, when you walk into the bakery it’s very homey.”
Silverton Bake Shop
311 N. Water St.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
503-874-1592
www.silvertonbakeshop.com
