Mountain Dough Baking Company opened its doors last week at 1537 Florida Road near Bread and the Exxon gas station.
The bakery, which now occupies what used to be a Subway in that shopping center, will look to offer a plethora of baked goods from owner Kim Solecki.
The Fort Lewis College graduate says the bakery specializes in cakes, cookies and cupcakes baked in-house daily.
“Our kind of spin on it is like fun treats for adults and kids alike, and there isn't anything like this here,” Solecki said.
She said the business is a niche market in Durango where she felt it could be really successful.
The business has been planning its opening for a while, signing the lease on the property in February, but renovations took longer than expected and pushed its opening to October.
Solecki said she had to scrap almost everything from the Subway layout. However, because the unit already had a commercial kitchen, it became the ideal spot to start the business.
“The length of time just from inception to doors opening was a challenge. And you know, we got through it, and it's great to be here,” said Solecki.
Solecki’s background is in corporate technology sales, but about 10 years ago she decided her passion was baking and attended culinary school. She started a cookie business out of her home where she built a following.
“We could all be dead tomorrow, let's follow our dreams and do what we love,” she said of her decision to pursue baking.
Not only does Mountain Dough sell baked treats but it also caters and offers baking classes as well.
For events, the business offers cakes in the $100 to $150 range which serves eight to 24 people, according to its menu.
For its classes, Mountain Dough offers special holiday cookie classes for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The classes for the Nov. 17 and 19 Thanksgiving classes are already sold out, according to the website.
Solecki said it’s fun for customers to come in and learn from experts on how to decorate cookies for the holidays.
She said the bakery also offers a Sunday brunch class, which has different themes as well.
“My family has been in Durango for 30 years,” Solecki said. “I think it's just wild all these years later to be here doing this in this town.”
Mountain Dough is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
