Cheez-Kake Bakeshop under new ownership

COSHOCTON – Barbara Troyer always dreamed of owning something, but in her dreams she imagined something closer to a coffee shop.

Instead, what she got was a bakery.

"My husband's weakness for baked goods has paid off," she said.

Barbara and her husband, Zach Troyer, are the new owners of the Cheez-Kake Bakery located at 702 S. Seventh St. in Coshocton.

They bought the store from longtime baker, Dave Smith, who is retiring and moving to Florida with his wife.

"I was excited to keep the store rolling," Smith said. "It was just so sad, because we had so many customers come in here who were literally in tears begging me to stay."

The Troyers had no idea the store was being sold, until June 19, when Zach walked into the store and noticed the shelves were empty.

"I talked to Jimmy and he said 'Hey Zach, we are closing down,'" Zach said. "I just didn't want to see it go."

So he spoke to Smith that day, and the next day their deal was finalized. The deal between the two includes the store, equipment, name, recipes and training.

"Everything is staying, nothing is changing," Smith said.

The only thing that will be changing, as of now, is the name. The name will be Cheez-Kake Bakeshop under the Troyers' ownership.

But everything else including the recipes and employees are staying the same. The ability to keep on all of the employees is an advantage to the Troyers, Barbara said.

"We don't have to train them, they already know what they are supposed to do," she said.

"The employees are the face of this company," Zach said.

Jim Conley, a three-year employee at the bakeshop, is grateful to be keeping his job.

"I'm so glad they took over, because so many people were disappointed." he said. "It keeps me in a job and I'm happy about that."

When word spread that Smith would be closing for good, the store became very busy for both himself and the employees he said. Everybody wanted to buy pastries and throw them in their freezers for future use.

That busy nature isn't Smith's job to deal with anymore, it's the Troyers'.

"What makes this all worth it is the people coming in and seeing their happiness and appreciation," Barbara said.

Even though Smith is retiring he plans to be around for the next month or so.

"With his expertise and his training, we can make this store a success," Zach said.

The Cheez-Kake Bakeshop will have its grand re-opening Wednesday and will be open 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and will be closed on Sunday.

"Small businesses are important," Zach said. "Everything larger companies have are coming in frozen, put on a try and then put in the oven. We don't do that."

cteaguerob@gannett.com

740-295-3442

Twitter: @cj_teague