One of the good parts about road trips is that you discover amazing places that you didn’t know existed. I recently discovered one of those places when I stopped at a bakery in Denison.
I was really just bored and needed to get out of the house and maybe I was doing some groundwork for a future project, but also I was taking my new tires for a spin. I ended up in Denison. When I went on road trips with my Mom she always wanted to stop at a bakery. It is a tradition that I’ve tried to keep going. Even though I frequently hit bakeries well after the best stuff has been picked over. I still try to find a bakery on my road trips.
While I was sitting in the RAV4 outside a Denison laundromat I Googled “Denison Bakeries”. I found a place called the Bake Shop. I liked the name. I liked the logo. Being in Iowa I knew it wasn’t a dispensary. I put the address in the old GPS and a way I went.
After viewing these pictures I will try to explain what makes this place amazing and a place I intend to hit up again.
Sweet signs in the men’s restroom.
I love these so much!!
Raspberry!
I got a frozen hot chocolate to drink.
My raspberry bread was spot on. The frozen hot chocolate was the best drink I’ve had this year. But that isn’t why I think this place is so fantastic. But rather than fumble around with words, I will just quote their website.
The Bake Shop is a perfect blend of a wonderful cup of coffee and inclusivity, employing people with many intellectual disabilities, and preparing them for a variety of jobs in the community; currently 26 local businesses employ WESCO members. With the help of Bake Shop Staff and Employment Services staff, these members do it all, from greeting customers to cleaning to taking orders. Here diversity is not just appreciated, it is celebrated, and the members have been helping out since day one. The Bake Shop has provided over 800 hours of employment to the members training within.
Step inside The Bake Shop, and you’ll find more than just coffee and pastries – you’ll find a cozy space designed for connection. Warm wood accents, comfy seating, the aroma of fresh-baked goods, and the hum of espresso machines make our shop the perfect spot to start your day, catch up with a friend, or simply enjoy a quiet moment.
For those on the go our full drive-thru keeps mornings moving with handcrafted lattes, seasonal drinks, and bakery favorites ready fast.
But what makes us truly unique is our purpose. The Bake Shop doubles as a training ground for individuals with disabilities, providing hands on-on skills, confidence, and opportunities that prepare them for meaningful careers. Every cup poured and every pastry served supports that mission. And when it’s time to celebrate our event center – TheBack30 – is just steps away. With rustic charm, chandeliers, and a mix of cozy elegance and Iowa country style, it’s the ideal setting for weddings, reunions, or private gatherings.
We’re not a chain. We’re part of this town. When you visit The Bake Shop, you’re not just a customer – you’re part of a community that believes in good coffee, good food, and doing good together.
https://www.bakeshopandcafe.com/about-us
I wish that a coffee shop like this would take out every Starbucks or Scooters and every other corporate franchise coffee shop in the world. But that isn’t the world we live in.
Next Sunday’s food adventure will also involve The Bake Shop!