6 minute read
MOORE'S BAKERY
Walking through the door of Moore’s Bakery is an experience filled with anticipation. Children’s eyes light up when they spot the iced Minions, unicorns and seasonal cookies. Faithful customers return regularly for freshly baked goods. The heavenly smells and the array of goodies aesthetically presented in glass display cases make Moore’s Bakery irresistible. Decisions do not come quickly with so many tempting choices.
For over 90 years, customers have turned to this independent family-run business for its traditional pastries, cookies, baked goods, and bread.
The shop is known for its irresistible housemade baked goods lovingly made by Sarah Artuso, her brother Rob Kroondyk and their two long-term bakers.
Sarah spoke to Kerrisdale Insider on behalf of her family. She says, “We are lucky to have had them both for over 20 years. They take an early shift and devote so much time to our business.”
Moore’s Bakery has a long and rich history. The original owners, the Moore family, opened the bakery in the early 1930s and owned it until 1962. Another baker owned it for the next eight years, and in 1973, Sarah and Rob’s parents, Archie and Lorelei Kroondyk, purchased the business. In 1975, the bakery moved from its original location on W 41st Avenue to its present site. The building was the home of the Kerrisdale Theatre in the 1920s. After that, it became a post office and was renovated to house Moore’s Bakery.
“Our parents own the business; they have stepped back a little but come in daily for a few hours. Rob and I work six days a week. My daughter Alex is working part-time as she goes through university. We have three generations at the store.”
The busy bakery employs 12 to 15 staff, mostly university and high school students, who serve customers.
“Over the years, our bread sales have decreased, so we have cut some varieties out and added more cookies. We have also added more dietary-sensitive baked goods, including gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free.”
“The bakery business has changed a lot over the past decades. In the 1980s, our bread was in much higher demand, but as grocery stores began to sell more bread, we focused more on our traditional cookies and pastries, which are more of a rarity. We have adjusted our business with the changing times while sticking to our traditional roots.”
Baker's hours are early and long. Rob starts as early as 3:00 a.m. to begin the bread dough, as bread takes four hours from start to finish.
Many of Moore’s baked goods are made to order, leading to long days, especially if it is a weekend with a holiday like Valentine’s Day or Thanksgiving or a month of long days in December.
Customers buy oatmeal cookies by the dozens for tea parties, to give as host gifts, or to send to customers who live out of town.
“Our top-selling oatmeal cookies are what we are best known for. They are simple and plain oatmeal shortbread.”
Moore’s customers’ loyalty knows no bounds. Sarah mentions, “We have a customer who has been getting birthday cakes from us for 50 years. His mom bought a mocha cake for his first birthday; he has continued the tradition of getting one yearly. He and his family still buy our cakes for every occasion and celebration, from birthdays to the Super Bowl to celebrating the last day of school or graduation. They have kept the cake boards from each cake, marking it with the date and occasion.”
Sales of the much-loved iced cookies have increased over the years. Moore’s takes custom orders for showers, birthdays, and weddings.
“Adults enjoy the more traditional cookies like bird’s nest and oatmeal. Our savouries are a favourite for a quick lunch or dinner.”
In addition to the bakery, Moore’s has a small dining area where they sell fresh sandwiches made to order and two choices of soup daily.
Customer service is of the utmost importance. The staff know many of their customers by name, especially those who come in weekly or multiple times a week. They are also familiar with their orders.
“Repeat customers are key for us staying in business. We love hearing that customers enjoy our service and leave with a positive experience. It is gratifying to hear that people come back and support our business because someone they know worked here or their grandparents brought them into the store when they were younger. Past staff bring their children in to show where they first worked. Families of the original and second owners come in and love to see that the business is still operating and selling the same traditional baked goods.”
Kerrisdale is a special community that means a lot to this family. One way they give back is by donating surplus baked goods to Vancouver Food Runners.
“We make weekly donations of surplus baked goods. Every Friday, without fail, a food runner arrives to pick up two to three trays of bread and a tray of muffins. Vancouver Food Runners is an amazing organization that makes getting food to those in need from our business so easy!”
Moore’s Bakery makes two gigantic sheet cakes for the Kerrisdale Business Association’s celebration of the Village’s birthday every September.
The greatest joy from our work still comes from having customers call or email with messages of gratitude. It is heartwarming to know people enjoy the products we work so hard to keep consistent and delicious. We appreciate all the support and loyalty from our community, and we could not have stayed in business this long without that. Thank you!
Moore’s Bakery
2128 W 41st Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6M 1Z1
Phone 604-261-2922
www.mooresbakeryofkerrisdale.com
Article by Sarah Gordon (August 2024) PALLA MEDIA
