On Feb. 1, Daniel and Lorraine Miller of Great Barrington bought the 25-year-old business on Housatonic Street, in Lenox. The weekly bread menu over the counter and the array of muffins, pastries, cakes, tarts, cookies, bars, tea loaves, turnovers, pies, biscotti and home-baked dog biscuits will stay the same as the Millers get into the routine of running the bakery, said Beth Burks, who works there.
Daniel and Lorraine have not run a bakery before, but they have spent many active years in Berkshire County since they moved here from Danbury, Conn., in 1959. They bought an old farmhouse and raised five children there. They ran the Great Barrington Dairy Queen from 1978 to 1983, in Belcher Square. Elise Abrams Antiques has taken over the spot now, but Lorraine said people may remember her and Daniel from the Dairy Queen. Every now and then, someone comes up to tell them, “Oh, I wish the Dairy Queen was back!†The Millers kept a bed-and-breakfast in Alford from 1988-1996. Daniel has spent some time on a dude ranch. They also have 13 grandchildren. They like to keep busy, Lorraine said, which is why they bought the bakery.
Daniel will work at the bakery. “I may visit occasionally,†Lorraine said. She is doing the paperwork at home. “And I’m learning the computer,†she said, “which I never thought would happen.†She and Dan plan to keep the arrangement of three full-time and several part-time workers at the bakery. As Burks describes it, the bakery has a bread person, an early-morning person, a cake person and two everything-else people. Burks helps the cake baker, sets up for the early morning baker and does a little of everything.
Starting the first weekend in March, the bakery will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. The Millers plan to change very little else in the workings of the bakery. They will still make every Danish, croissant and scone from scratch. They are giving the staff some leeway with recipes, but they will continue to use natural ingredients. Lorraine said this aspect of baking especially appealed to her, because the Millers have been trying to eat organically for 25 years.
January is a traditionally slow month for business; it has always been experimentation month at Suchele’s, Burks said. They have already tried new muffins, breads, tea loaf, and tarts this year.
She said the Millers are more relaxed about experimenting than the previous owners. The bakers have brought in magazines and tried new recipes. The Millers appreciate and support the staff, Burks said. “They are retired but by no means sitting around.â€
The bakery specializes in cakes and wedding cakes. They also supply wholesale to local businesses, including Guido’s. “The demand for wedding cakes especially is going up,†Lorraine said. Business at Suchele’s is intense in summer holidays. The bakery fills quickly even on winter afternoons, with people stopping in for scones and coffee or taking home rosemary garlic loaves for dinner. The bakers work in a small space, 1,000 square feet, but a venerable one. Burks believes the building is more than 100 years old. The French country wall paper, the floors and the tin ceilings are original, said Lorraine. The large marble table will stay in view, so passersby can watch the bakers rolling pie dough and crimping the crust around the pie plates.
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Winter Storm Warning Issued for Berkshires
Another snowstorm is expected to move through the region overnight on Friday, bringing 5 to 8 inches of snow. This is updated from Thursday's winter weather advisory.
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has posted a winter storm warning for all of Berkshire County and parts of eastern New York State beginning Friday at 4 p.m. through Saturday at 1 p.m.
The region could see heavy to moderate snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour overnight, tapering off Saturday morning to flurries.
Drivers should exercise caution on Friday night and Saturday morning, as travel conditions may be hazardous.
Saturday night should be clear and calm, but warming temperatures means freezing rain Sunday night and rain through Monday with highs in the 40s. The forecast isn't much better through the week as temperatures dip back into the teens with New Year's Eve looking cloudy and frigid.
Samuel Currence served his country in the Air Force with distinction, professionalism and unparalleled humility from 1962 to 1985, retiring as a technical sergeant. click for more
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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