THE BUZZ
By Evan J. Pretzer
Keeping on at Kreger’s Owners Kathleen Regelman and Hannah Reyes took over in November after running a successful online bakery
was not without them. Commencing their control around the height of the Thanksgiving season was hectic, but they worked through it and look back on the time with the sentiment of seasoned entrepreneurs. “It is not easy doing something new and it is not easy taking over anything old,” Reyes said. “We were doing custom orders only before but now it is our goal to have something in the fridge daily and accessible. We never had that before.” It has come alongside a warm welcome from the facility’s longtime customers and, while many business owners step away from direct operations as more success comes, this will not be the case for the longtime friends. This is their baby which will soon see a remodel and redesign of the exterior.
“We always want to be involved,” Regelman said. “We are passionate about what we do and we are passionate about the community and the relationship so we will always be here to some degree. This is really a part of who each of us are really.” As well, their old franchise does still stand, but the line between the two has blurred with the new location taking some priority while the other is digital. “Kreger’s has our Cup and Cake products now,” Reyes said. “A lot of our previous customers are also coming in to support us and, the online portion of Cup and Cake is staying, but not at Kreger’s. We hope to transition online there in the future.” Also, if words from the previous team are any indication, their best days are ahead.
▲ Kathleen Regelman, left and Hannah Reyes share a laugh during production at Kreger’s Bakery and Deli. The pair assumed control of the business in November after previously running Cup and Cake.
“They’re gonna be a great addition to Wausau,” Kreger’s bookkeeper Michelle Tabaka said in a 2021 article for the Wausau Daily Herald. “We’re very pleased.” Kreger’s Bakery and Deli is open from 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 6 a.m. to noon Saturday under Regelman and Reyes’ ownership. More information can be found at the Kreger’s Bakery Facebook page or calling 715-845-3644. Evan J. Pretzer is a contributor to City Pages. He can be reached at evan.pretzer@protonmail.com. 4988
Kreger’s Bakery and Deli has a new duo of owners dedicated to its cause. Since Christmas Day Kathleen Regelman and Hannah Reyes have been the sole proprietors and managers of the legacy establishment in Wausau which has existed since 1962. They acquired the site in November after the success of their online bakery business dubbed Cup and Cake and went through an onboarding process to learn recipes and how to handle the side of the business centered around the deli. “We know we have big shoes to fill because the bakery is a staple in this community,” Regelman said. “It is something everybody really knows and loves. There is pressure, we want to do things well and do things as good as the previous owners. There is a need for a bakery but we also want our own spin on things, too.” So far, nothing much has changed with how the iconic establishment is run and what it offers to the public. There are still the same pastries, doughnuts and cookies people love and Regelman and Reyes intend to put out new recipes with time. In particular, the pair believe their cakes can rise above their numerous competitors. “We want to have cake which is beautiful, tastes great and you can tell it is homemade,” Reyes added. “These will not be generic grocery store cakes.” Being in any business related to food can have its difficulties and the journey to continuing on with the site’s legacy
▲ A grouping of cupcakes sit ready for consumption at Kreger’s Bakery and Deli in Wausau. (Evan Pretzer)
January 20-27, 2022
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