Two new bakeries welcomed downtown

Two new sweet stops were added downtown Newton with the arrival of Stacy’s Sweetstuff and Bun in the Oven Bakery in early 2015. Stacy Grams, owner of Stacy’s Sweetstuff, and Dalene Odgen, owner of Bun in the Oven Bakery, both began cooking at a young age and are now sharing with the public in their own shops.

Stacy’s Sweetstuff

Stacy’s Sweetstuff started in Grams’ home after she began baking for her nieces, nephews, family and friends more than four years ago. She bakes cookies, cakes, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, brownies, cake balls, candies, fudge and truffles. Sugar cookies are her favorite because she enjoys decorating them, although she is not a huge fan of cleaning up after. They are also her most popular item.

Wedding cakes are also on her resume available in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, lemon, orange, marble, Champagne and red velvet flavors. When doing wedding cake tasting, Grams sends home cupcake samples with the client so their friends and family can give their input as well. It is also a trick she does to get her product out to more people, hopefully gaining additional clients.

“Before you know it, it was like ‘hey, can you make one for my friend’s mom’s sister?’” Grams said.

Many of her friends and family suggested that she move forward in her business and do more with the skills she has. After spending time praying and looking around Newton for a potential store front, she spoke with the owner of Moo’s and things “just fell together”.

The quaint space at 208 1/2 First Ave. W. is perfect for Grams, who didn’t want anything extravagant. In the shop she offers cupcakes, chocolate dipped strawberries, cake balls, slices of pie, sugar cookies, chocolate covered pretzels and fudge along with daily specials.

Bun in the Oven Bakery

What first started with a farmers market stand, selling crafts and later incorporating popular baked goods, has turned into a full-time job of baking and catering, a job Ogden said she greatly enjoys.

Recently, Ogden has moved her bakery, Bun in the Oven Bakery, into a new location on West Third Street South, less than a block from First Avenue West.

The bakery has a display case full of fresh baked goods, a place for a few small groups to eat lunch and a small boutique of crafts and children’s clothes.

Ogden is a mother of six, three boys and three girls, who started the boutique making baby items for her boys.

“It saved us a lot of money and I love to sew too,” she said.

However, Ogden is best known for her baked goods and catering, and she doesn’t leave anything out. She enjoys making food from a variety of heritages — German, French, Italian, Dutch, etc.

At the bakery, Ogden makes cupcakes, dessert bars and chocolate and vanilla German donuts, and she said, her favorite goods to bake are sugar cookies and pecan rolls which are both popular goods available daily at the bakery. Odgen also sells coffee.

“My price range is very reasonable. I try and make affordable quality food for everyone,” she said.

Also available at her bakery is a lunch option. Ogden makes homemade soups like chili and grilled sandwiches like a Philly Steak on location.

Catering for local business or private events is a joy of Ogden, especially helping fundraise. Working with Windstream, Skiff Medical Center, Newton High School Princess and Papas Ball are a few of her proud moments. On Wednesdays, Ogden also caters the weekely Newton Noon Kiwanis meeting.

Bun in the Oven winter hours are 9 a.m to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

“I like making people happy. I like when they return and tell me how good my food was. It makes me feel really good to have that return customer,” Ogden said.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com