Rose's Down Home proprietor finds pleasure in her craft

Bakery opens doors within Chocolate Factory

MOSES LAKE — The only way Rose Marie Cook could live up to her last name more would be if it was Baker.

"I've been baking for 40-some years," she said. "I grew up in a family of four boys, and I was the only girl. My mom and I did a lot of baking. We just enjoyed baking. (Opening my own bakery) is just something I've thought about for several years, because I bake for the neighbors, friends, and I've got a lot of encouragement from (them)."

So much so that Cook's friends, neighbors and family asked her why she didn't open her own bakery.

So, she did.

Cook opened Rose's Down Home Bakery within the Great Northwest Chocolate Factory Nov. 18, in place of the business' cafe, which had closed in September.

"I had thought about doing it out of my home, but it was just a lot of hassle," Cook said. "I got approvals and everything, but financial-wise, it was a lot of hassle. I just kind of fell into this, and it worked out a lot better. Plus, people can come in and have a piece of pie and a cup of coffee, a cookie or whatever."

Cook said her bakery, at present, mostly offers pies — she said she makes a really good pecan pie — cookies, scones and biscotti, although she hopes to get into a few more things, such as sugar-free desserts.

"Just plain desserts," she said. "Nothing gourmet — just good every day desserts."

Cook is the sole proprietor of the business for now, although that could change with the holiday demand, she said.

She said she just enjoys baking.

"Besides, the more I bake, the less I eat," she said with a laugh. "… Everybody loves pie. I just enjoy baking because people enjoy eating desserts. I hope people will come in and have pie and coffee. This is just something I've always wanted to try."

Cook gave a lot of credit to Big Bend Community College's Center for Business and Industry Service's for her small business development.

"I've had a lot of support," she said.

She said she had a lot of orders for pies for Thanksgiving, and added that she also does hand-decorated sugar cookies, as well as sharing some of her offerings with several area espresso stands.

"I don't know of any place in Moses Lake that has from scratch baked goods," she said. "And I use no preservatives, so it's eat it or freeze it … (Customers) seem to like the idea of getting fresh things from somebody local, so hopefully I'll get a lot of support."

Cook said she has really enjoyed working with Chocolate Factory owner Alberta Cannon, whom she has known for some time, and noted that they seem to be "really compatible."

Cannon agreed.

"People are just starting to find out about it, but I think it's going to be great — you walk in here and it smells wonderful," she said. "I think it's going to be good for both of us, because the bakery and the candy are two different type things. We've had people come in and buying cookies and chocolates, or ordering pies and getting fudge. I think it's going to work out really good. I'm excited."

BREAK OUT

Rose's Down Home Bakery is open 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hours are subject to change, she said.