A Secret: Revealed

marge logo

I’ve been a big tease lately. I mention secrets and new endeavors without as much as a hint. Truthfully, I wasn’t doing this to build suspense or for any other weird reason. I just have this theory that it’s bad luck to say you’re starting something unless you’re pretty darn sure you’re starting something. So today… I’m pretty darn sure that Marge is actually happening. Health permits are filed. Logos and menus are finished and Sam is working his magic on a lovely, more detailed website.

marge packaging

So Marge. At the beginning of the summer I decided I’d open a bakery. I had a teeny bit of money saved that I’d always wanted to use to buy a house. But then it occurred to me, post-breakup, that it probably wouldn’t be a whole lot of fun spending my entire life’s savings to go and sit in a little house all by myself and stare at the white walls. So instead I decided I’d put it all into a business. A baking business. The thing I’ve always loved to do. So I set out looking at real estate. It was exciting. I met with brokers. I researched architects and small business loans. I started getting quotes on vintage wallpaper (expensive, by the way).

And then: reality hit. Building out a kitchen in a bakery takes a whole lot more money than I had scrimped and saved. And after a series of events, I realized it was best to tackle this one on my own rather than involving family with the financial piece of the business. So, a little change of plans. I found a lovely commercial kitchen to bake in, and I’m still pounding the pavement looking for a teeny little storefront where I’ll sell my sweets.

So where does that leave me now? Well, I’ve done a heck of a lot of recipe testing over the last few months and people are starting to place orders. People I know and people I don’t know. It’s delightful to think that numerous doctor’s offices in Marin will be eating my apple pie this week. I’m taking catering orders, going to start appearing at local food events and festivals and am working my booty off trying to get a table at one of our competitive farmer’s markets. And of course, continuing to look for that sweet storefront. I know it’ll happen. Just not tomorrow.

Why Marge? I specialize in classic American baking. I’m not drawn to fancy French-style desserts or elaborate plated creations. Instead, I’m really inspired by nostalgic flavor profiles and old-school recipes: American bars and cookies, darn fine pie, housemade oreos and pop-tarts, a heavily tweaked version of this amazing granola, and lots of lovely breakfast treats. And Marge is such a great classic American name. Fitting. It’s also my grandma’s name. She’s awesome. I’ve inherited my sweet tooth from her, for sure. When I was little and my family would visit my grandparents back East, we’d go out on picnics or boat rides and my grandma would always sneak in a few Twinkies or Ho Ho’s for the afternoon. My mom never bought that stuff so I always thought this was basically the best thing that had ever happened to me.

gramGrandpa, my younger sister Rachael, me, Gram sporting some pretty sweet sunglasses

It’s been funny telling people about the business. When you have a solid physical location, it seems really real. You can say definitively to people: I’m opening a bakery! With Marge at this point, I’m not quite opening a physical bakery yet. I guess I’m just approaching it in more of a non-traditional way for awhile.  The funniest thing happened a few days before Thanksgiving. I got a call from an old freelance client asking if I’m free to take on a big project. A few hours later I got a call from a local high school and there was a potential job opening. Then the bakery where I’ve been helping out on Sundays contacted me to ask if I wanted some holiday hours.

coconut cupcakes

Don’t think I didn’t think long and hard about the teaching job (benefits!). But Marge needs me right now. This is the path I’m on. It’s now or maybe never. And of all the people I’ve talked to about Marge, I’ve been so excited to formally announce it to you all here online. Many of you who live here locally have become my real life friends, and so many others of you are cherished online friends. You guys have my back. And that’s what I need as I turn down more logical job offers and tread into unknown territory full of baker’s twine, a mess of flour, and a large crate of hundreds of aluminum pie tins that just arrived.

snickerdoodles

As I embark on this baking adventure, I really want to keep ya’ll posted on news and events, recipes and menu additions, and where to find me around town. And if any of you local folks know businesses with a sweet tooth who tend to order catering/deliveries, email me or leave a comment here. I’d love to chat with them and bring them a sample (or two)! Now then, please, please, please stay in touch!

  • “Like” Marge on Facebook to get updates and news/events/photos
  • Follow Marge on Twitter for immediate news, menu additions, and bakery chatter
  • Email me anytime at megan@margebakery.com
  • Visit our website for major Marge info  (full website’s coming soon–this is just the splash page)

Comments

  1. Bria

    Wow - congratulations! This is such exciting news. Best of luck with your new adventure, and keep us posted on the process. Hooray!

  2. Shannalee

    I am so freaking happy for you. You made the right decision. I love that you're pursuing this. And if I were in Cali, I would SO want to help somehow.

  3. my little expat kitchen

    Congratulations! What an exciting time this must be for you. I wish you the best of luck and may all go perfect with your bakery!
    Magda

  4. Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite

    Megan - CONGRATS!!! I am soooooo excited for you and so impressed that you are following your dream. I wish you the best of luck and please open a branch in Toronto! xoxoxoxox

  5. Jacqui

    Eeeeee! I am silently squealing from my office cube, and sending virtual hugs and high fives and all that good stuff. Love that you are following your dreams and living that American fairy tale with all-American sweets. And I definitely caught that hint when you mentioned opening a bakery in a previous post -- Couldn't help but pause and think, Hmmm... :) Good luck and congrats!

  6. Anne Zimmerman

    yes!!!
    Still can't believe I've never tasted a marge inspired creation. soon!

  7. Liz the Chef

    Best of luck and congratulations for "following your bliss"!

  8. Amy P

    Woo hoo!!! So excited for you- way to go for being brave and doing the thing you love. Your goodies look (and taste) heavenly. Congrats!

  9. Kasey

    I am SO excited for you, Megan. Your goodies will be in high demand! And I've already said it, but I'll say it again: LOVE the branding. You nailed it!

  10. Janet

    I'm so happy for you, and so proud of you, too! I think it's the greatest when people listen to their hearts and follow their dreams (ok, how cheesy do I sound? But you know what I mean). I was telling Allison the same thing recently, and it just makes me so happy (and inspired) to see you guys going for it.

    Cheers to Marge!

    PS: Love the picture! Sweet outfit. :)

  11. Anna

    Congratulations. Sounds fabulous!

  12. Sarah

    Congrats! You make beautiful stuff. We'll have to stop by when we're in Marin (and when you've found a "home"). Good luck!

  13. merry jennifer

    Congratulations on following your heart! If you were here in Florida I would seriously funnel you some business. I'm looking forward to seeing Marge progress and grow.

    PS - Seriously, north Florida is a good market. Think about it. ;)

  14. Staci Shultz

    I am just so darn proud of you, Megan. And having written many letters of recommendation on your behalf, I KNOW what it must have meant to turn down that teaching job! Take this baking plunge, my sweet friend, and know that your friends from coast to coast do indeed have your back.

  15. Danielle

    So happy for you, and so excited. I know you're going to do great and that 1 year from now, Marge is going to be THE place to get delicious holiday treats. Mark my words :)

  16. Anonomous

    WAHOO SO EXCITING!

    but does this mean no more blog :( ????

    1. megang

      JILL! A first comment...I've been waiting so long :)
      No, of course it doesn't mean that. The blog stays. Love you.

  17. rebecca

    Fantastic news. I wish you the best of luck and admire you for going after your dream, which many of us share.

  18. Pop Gordon

    Yippee, the first of my three...elated to have a fledgling entrepreneur in launch mode and absolutely KNOW you're going to slide into this with success, surprise and finally satiation for all things sweet. Love you Guinness.

  19. Heidi

    Congratulations on your new venture! I can't wait to order!!!!

  20. Vanessa

    I have a big soft spot in my heart for Marge because she is 'Mom' and my daughter.
    Both are real sweet and so are you.
    One of Gram's favorite pictures is of her in her apron on the porch steps!
    Such a wonderful tribute. She will be so touched as I am.
    Love...Aunt V

  21. momgordon

    I will be able to say that my kitchen and I were there from the start! Cookies in the pantry, pies in the oven and all those dribs and drabs of stuff in the refrigerator that you insist on saving (we need to save that half teaspoon of egg wash, really?!) You got your sweet tooth from Gram and a bunch of your determination! The journey begins.....

  22. El

    Megan, this is awesome. I am so happy for you. The long and winding road has landed at Marge-perfect. (BTW, I cannot believe the school called. That's insane.) Sounds like Marge is definitely the better choice. I know you'll do great. I didn't know you made pop tarts too. Can't wait to try those!! Congrats!

  23. tracy

    you are SUCH an inspiration! I can't wait to get my hands on your goodies! *snort*

  24. CousinJill

    Darn..Rachael told me I could post anonymously. Oh well, STILL VERY EXCITED TO COME BE YOUR TASTE TESTER AND MARKETING MANAGER!

  25. Mary

    Congratulations, Megan! I kept smiling today thinking about Marge. So excited for you. I love the name and the inspiration behind it - can't have a better start.

    Your website, packing, logo + design are as gorgeous as your photos and baked goods. I can't wait to order. Again. And again.

    Btw: As I write this, your cranberry + orange scones are in the oven. The dough came together beautifully. I promised I would not buy another cookbook this year, but...

  26. Sasa

    Yay! That is so cool ^_^ You totally did the right thing following your heart. I've been doing a tiny cottage industry selling granola bars here in Austria and your beautiful packaging is a total inspiration!

  27. Andrea

    OMG congrats! You're living all of our dreams, I assure you. I only wish I had the guts to do the same. I'm so happy for you! I would totally come to your bakery.

  28. Erin

    Congratulations! Now I have yet another reason to plan another trip to the West Coast! Tons and tons of luck!

  29. Lori

    Megan,
    You are a true inspiration. Congratulations on Marge and really more so on following your heart.
    All the best, Lori

  30. Katie

    Congrats again to you, Megan! How exciting to launch your own business. Lucky you to have identified your passion and calling--and then to have found the courage to follow it. Best of luck and wishing you many fun adventures ahead with Marge Bakery.

  31. RM

    Great news! I'm so happy for you and for all of your lucky customers. Let me know where to bring the kids. And I've got some farmer's market scoop for you.

  32. kickpleat

    Hooray!!! How super exciting. I love the idea of starting small, I think you'll do great. I wish you were a traveling mobile bakery and would make it up to Vancouver!

  33. Lauren

    The secret is out! Congratulations on following your heart! Also, happily, I kicked you over to 100 fans on Facebook. Here's to many more!

  34. Amanda@EasyPeasyOrganic

    You are so inspiring! I'm actually in the process of following my heart, too ... more writing and less secure employment ... more making of organic goodies for the body ...

    Oh, it's scary! What if I fail?

    But I'm happy I read your post, because it made me feel so much less alone out there :)
    xx

  35. megang

    Oh boy. You all stun me once again. Thank you so, so much for all of your support. I'm not sure how I got so lucky to have such amazing readers, but apparently I've done something really good somewhere down the line.

    No, this does not mean that the blog's going anywhere. Far from it. I can't imagine ditching it for anything. And I'd love to keep you updated on how Marge is doing here, too. So let's do that, shall we?

  36. Kelsey/TheNaptimeChef

    YEAHHH! I am SOOO excited for you!!! This is so amazing, you should be so proud of yourself. The storefront will come, I know it! :) Brava!

  37. Dmarie

    wow, living the dream! congrats & MUCH success!

  38. Aunt Jill

    Megan,
    The colors, logo, NAME...... just perfect for what you are doing!!
    It all seems to be evolving in a thought out, sentimental way with lots of hard work. Congratulations to you. Now weren't you just bursting at the seams at Thanksgiving wanting to tell everyone. Now I know you can keep a secret! Your reveal, however, is your way and special. Looking forward to many more milestones and celebrating along the way with you. Congratulations.
    Love Aunt Jill

  39. letitia

    Congratulations!! I wish Toronto was just a tad bit closer to SF so we could come support your new business. Your goods look amazing! Best of luck, it looks like you're already on the right track...

  40. jill

    Congratulations! This is so exciting. Your kind of baking is what I like best. Any plans to ship your goods to hungry people in NYC?

    By the way- I drive by Baked every week to go to the grocery store. I've never stopped in, always thinking, someday... Then I thought of you, reading their cookbook and loving the place having never been there. So last week I parked my car and got a piece of coffee cake in your honor. It was amazing!

    Jill
    (long time reader, very occasional commenter)

    1. megang

      Jill! We're definitely planning on shipping our granola, cookies, and bars eventually but we're not quite there yet. I'll let you know when we're more readily equipped to do so! And I loved your comment and thinking about you heading over to Baked for a little treat. Isn't that place great? I visited in NYC over Thanksgiving and forced my sister to sit down and share about 5 things with me. We overdid it a little. Anyway, thanks so much for reading (and commenting!) Happy Holidays!

  41. Quay Po Cooks

    Congrats Megan for following your heart. I wish you success!

  42. Dana

    How exciting! Congratulations! Best wishes for your endeavor, I'm sure everything will go great!

  43. retro sweets

    Wow, it's my first time here and I'm so glad to hear about your new business gig. Congratulations! Your cookies look yummy and I think your grandma would be very proud. Hope Martha would cater even to Londoners soon. :)

  44. Adrianna from A Cozy Kitchen

    Wow! Yay for new adventures. Your tags and logo is really super pretty. And those mini-apple pies look dreamy. Can't wait to try.

  45. Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction

    So excited for you... I want to rush out to San Francisco to taste all of your baked goods! Do you ship to PA? :)

    1. megang

      Hi Jen! Thank you! I need another taste-tester, actually. So we don't really ship quite yet...just getting all of our systems in place. I'll let you know when we do :)

  46. olga

    OMG I am so happy for you and your logo is so so so cute!!! I'm super late in commenting but I am so inspired and excited for you!! Please keep us all posted!!

    1. megang

      Thanks, Olga! I will, absolutely.

  47. Stephanie

    Congratulations Megan, this is the best. Looks utterly cool - of course - and delicious. I'm so excited for you!

  48. retro sweets

    Your cookies look yummy. Hope Martha will cater even to Londoners soon.

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