Advertisement

Treats by Taylor bakery and gift shop opens in McGregor

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

After two years operating an at-home baking business, Taylor Audet opened a storefront for Treats by Taylor on April 1. The bakery and gift shop is located in downtown McGregor. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

 

Treats by Taylor, a bakery and gift shop, opened in downtown McGregor on April 1.

 

It’s the latest step for owner Taylor Audet, who started an at-home baking business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“I’ve loved baking ever since I can remember—growing up with my grandma in her kitchen,” said Audet, an Edgewood native who moved to the McGregor area in 2014, when her husband got out of the Marines. 

 

“When I got laid off during COVID, I started doing at-home baking and it turned into a side business. Then I got a new job in mortgage and got laid off from that last September,” she continued. “I always wanted a storefront, but I didn’t know how I could make it work with my full-time job in finance. The catalyst to saying ‘Let’s do this’ was when I got laid off the second time within two years. I said, ‘I’m going to go for it. I’m going to dive on in and open my own shop and do what I love.’”

 

Opening a storefront in McGregor seemed like a natural fit. Although there are bakeries in nearby Elkader and Prairie du Chien, the community didn’t have a spot of its own with gourmet cupcakes and other home baked goods.

 

“I thought this was a good opportunity to bring something to our town that we don’t have yet,” Audet said. “I also have a good local following, and a lot of people have been asking me to open a storefront in McGregor. So I have a good customer base, and the other people in the area can benefit from it too.”

 

Treats by Taylor will feature Audet’s signature cupcakes, the most popular request when she started her business. She later added cookies as well as custom cakes for birthdays and other events.

 

“The list keeps growing from there,” Audet said. “I have a ton of different flavors I do between cakes, cookies, cupcakes. Cinnamon rolls have been popular lately, and my Grandma Clark’s peanut butter bars have been popular. That’s what I grew up with, so I have to incorporate those. I have a friend who also has her kitchen certified who does my cheesecakes.”

 

Audet said the shop’s weekday selection will be more limited, with a couple types of cupcakes and cookies along with some bars and cinnamon rolls. Weekends will be fuller.

 

Each night, Audet posts on the Treats by Taylor Facebook page what the flavors will be the following day.

She’ll also continue to take custom orders.

 

“Just make sure it’s a couple weeks in advance because I’m booking up pretty quick,” Audet said. “They can come in and order or message me on Facebook.”

 

In addition to baked goods, Treats by Taylor offers Hayward Gourmet Popcorn from Hayward, Wis., as well as toffee, dips and other treats. Even dogs have their own treats available, and dog cookies are coming soon. The shop also has bath and body products, other gift shop items and party supplies like birthday candles.

 

“I’m starting to build my collection of supplies. I’ll have cake toppers and cupcake toppers and some party decor and supplies,” Audet said.

 

Now nearly two weeks since the grand opening, Audet has been overwhelmed by the community support for the Treats by Taylor storefront.

 

“At my grand opening, just the words of encouragement. Everybody was so happy and positive when they came in. Everyone seems really happy to have a bakery downtown,” she said.

 

Treats by Taylor is located at 219 Main St. The shop is closed on Mondays, but open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. For more information, find “Treats by Taylor” on Facebook.

Rate this article: 
No votes yet