Barney's BakeHouse, a staple of the Great Lakes Bay region with roots stretching back nearly a century, has marked a significant expansion. Adjacent to its Freeland bake shop, a new 5,000-square-foot production center has commenced operations, reported by ABC12. The $750,000 investment aims to increase the bakery's ability to serve a growing number of commercial customers.
The bakery's recent growth trajectory began when Jarrid Weighman, a local entrant in the bakery business, took the helm of the Bay City location in 2020, leading to the addition of the Freeland locale in 2023. According to WNEM, such expansion was spurred by booming wholesale business with nearby bars and restaurants and the inclusion of their products at Jack’s Fruit & Meat Market locations. Early this year, planning began for the expansion, leading to the operational commencement of the new production center earlier in November.
With the infrastructure in place, the new production facility—fitted with efficient, modern bakery equipment such as a carousel oven that greatly surpasses the previous output capabilities—now stands as a testament to the bakery's commitment to meeting the demands of its growing customer base. Weighman proclaimed, as per WNEM, "Thank you to the loyal customers in the Great Lakes Bay Region who have supported our efforts to bring yummy donuts, fresh baked bread, buns, cookies, desserts, and our popular line of homemade Grab and Go meals to busy families." A staff of over 20 contributes to the bakery's product line, indicating an investment in equipment and the local workforce.
The mid-Michigan bakery is focused on growth and community involvement. Weighman highlighted the donation of day-old goods to Hidden Harvest and the recent sponsorship of the Arts in the Park event in Freeland.
