By Louise Bolger
sun staff writer
When is a bakery more than just a bakery? Apparently
when Ginny Dutton and Jane Joyce get their hands on
it. Ginny and Jane are close sisters each with their
separate interests. Ginny wanted to expand on her popular
antiques and art shop in Holmes Beach, and Jane wanted
a kitchen where she could roll dough to her heart’s
content. Well, these sisters both got what they wanted,
and the lucky residents and visitors on Anna Maria are
the real winners.
Except for her years living on a dairy farm in Vermont,
Jane mostly baked for her friends and family, but she
always dreamed of one day owning a bakery. Ginny dreamed
of opening another Island shop offering casual and garden
furniture to reflect the laid-back beach lifestyle of
the Island. When the space that formerly housed former
Anna Maria Mayor Ernie Cagnina’s grocery store
became available, Ginny and Jane wasted no time in formulating
their plan.
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SUN PHOTO/LOUISE BOLGER
Jane and Ginny welcome all to the Old IGA for coffee,
breads, pies, smoothies, soups, salads and more.
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They managed to create in a year (their one year anniversary
was July 1) a combination bakery, gourmet grocery and beach
and garden furniture shop. The unique concept keeps evolving,
and patrons can now stop by for a gourmet cup of coffee and
check their e-mail, since Ginny and Jane have added an Internet
café with two computers. They are also planning on
more grocery items including fresh pasta, cheeses and gourmet
canned goods to compliment their inventory of coffee and tea.
Jane also makes her own granola and will prepare special orders.
Smoothies, salads and soups are available daily as well.
In addition to Jane’s "I’ll Bake If I Want
To" kitchen, there seems to be a continual stream of
new and eclectic items for sale in the shop ranging from antique
butcher block tables to wrought iron patio furniture, all
representing beach living for the home and garden. The atmosphere
is warm and welcoming and the place smells great, with the
aroma of baking bread, quiche and pies mixing with freshly
brewed coffee.
Ginny and Jane are now offering Friday night entertainment
between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. for folks who would like to stop
by for coffee and pastry or play a board game.
They give a lot of credit to their staff members, who keep
coming up with great ideas and recipes, and for being as passionate
as they are about the business. But the real passion is in
the hearts of these two women who are living their dream.
The next time you visit Ginny and Jane make note of the big
purple sign hanging in the kitchen with the saying: "Bless
The Bread And The Bread Giver." I say bless Ginny and
Jane for finally bringing Anna Maria the bakery it deserves,
and pray that Jane will always want to bake.
