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Funky, Fresh

“Are they fried?”

“We don’t even have a fryer,” laughs Claire Riebe behind the counter of Town Hall Bakery, in reference to a large glass jar of skorpa.

Other customers wait in line for homemade cookies, caramel rolls, scones, and granola. At one of the bakery’s tables lined by a bright tablecloth and circled with an array of chairs sit members of American Folklore Theatre enjoying a hearty breakfast, a lone man bends over an open book and steaming cup of a coffee, while a couple of middle-aged ladies discuss the bakery’s featured sliders menu. Made from scratch, the menu includes sliders featuring pork, beet, smoked whitefish, cubano (pork belly), artichoke, and curry beef.

“We get the meat from Waseda farms,” says Justin Pahnturat, a cook at the bakery. “We make the buns in house.” Some of the sliders include pickled, candied jalapenos, fresh cucumber relish, and are complemented by a Mediterranean salad.

“There is a real connection with food and community here. I’ll stop by Waseda farms and see the animals before we get them,” explains Pahnturat. “Food should be an experience, and nourishing.”

After six years of working in the kitchens of Chicago restaurants, Pahnturat returned to Door County where he had worked in the bakery for a summer. “We let him do what he learned,” says Don Jervis, who owns the bakery with his wife Krista Olson. The couple are celebrating 21 years of business in Jacksonport.

“It’s been a journey for sure,” laughs Jervis. He pauses and glances around the large space of the bakery, the pink walls lined with an assortment of art – pieces collected by the couple at various auctions and estate sales. “We dug a well, got new electric, built the bathroom, made a kitchen with stuff we got at auctions,” he recalls.

Jervis and Olson began by making pies and desserts for restaurants. Business grew and soon they were hosting dessert theatre, small parties, dinner parties, then serving breakfast, lunch, and – in celebration of their 21 years – dinner on Aug. 17 and 18 until 9 pm.

“I feel like I’m working with a family,” says Riebe as she serves homemade cherry iced tea, tart and tasty.

“Don and Krista operate business as people first – before profit,” says Pahnturat. “It’s the coolest.”

Town Hall Bakery, open daily, is located at 6225 Highway 57 in Jacksonport. The bakery will celebrate 21 years with a special dinner Aug. 17 and 18 until 9 pm featuring sliders, specialty desserts, and random live music.

For more information call 920.823.2116 or visit http://www.townhallbakery.com.