Bayside Bakery opens to warm reception

EDENTON — Bayside Bakery and Boards may have opened during one of Edenton’s sharpest cold snaps in years, but customer response has been warm and welcoming.

The bakery opened Wednesday, Feb. 4, at South Broad and King streets, and an enthusiastic response from a standing-room-only crowd helped shop owner Heather Sexton celebrate.

Sexton said the journey into small business ownership took her and her husband three years of planning and consideration before they settled on a location near the foot of Edenton’s main street.

“My husband and I moved here almost four years ago after raising our three sons in upstate New York,” she said. “I worked full-time in special education for more than 20 years and part-time in food service for 35. I’ve loved to bake my entire life, and it became a passion.

“We spend many weekends enjoying local events. We wanted to be part of that,” she said. “This is a prime location for locals and visitors.”

The fare at Bayside Bakery and Boards includes a full line of baked goods and specialties, making the bakery a breakfast destination.

Pastries, cookies, cupcakes, cake by the slice, cheesecakes, pies and breads, along with bagels, croissants, buttermilk biscuits, donuts and filled pastries are available with coffee and tea.

“Our menu is sweet and savory, and it rotates regularly,” Heather said. “Key lime pie and cheesecakes are our staple items.”

Heather said she hopes to partner with other area businesses to highlight local products and events in the future.

“We have big ideas for supporting downtown throughout the year,” she said.

Heather and her husband, Patrick, are joined in the bakery by one employee, Gabi Bates.

The bakery is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Customers are encouraged to call the shop at 252-370-4534 with orders or questions.

“We know our customers’ time is valuable,” Heather said. “We take pride in greeting everyone with a smile.”

Heather said she hopes the bakery will become a welcoming gathering place where patrons can pause, pull up a chair to one of the tables and enjoy conversation with friends.

“We want to enhance the downtown and be here for birthdays, meetings and celebrations — we want to welcome everyone,” she said. “We’re incredibly excited for this opportunity. We’ll do our best to satisfy every visitor.”