Bread and Roses Bakery launches special weekend hours

Mary Breen, owner of Bread and Roses Bakery.

On Saturday, the sweet scent of cinnamon buns and freshly brewed coffee will be wafting down Main Street once again as Bread and Roses Bakery reopens their doors for an early start to the season.

With newly added limited winter hours, starting this Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18 and 19, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., owner Mary Breen said it was a quick and unexpected decision to reopen for weekend hours.

“I got home from vacation at 2 a.m. on Monday and we made the decision by 4 p.m.,” Breen said. “It was unexpected but I have such an awesome team and they are behind me.”

Noting that the mild winter weather played a key influence in the decision, Breen said she is often approached by locals and visitors asking for the bakery’s 2012 hours.

“People ask me every time I am out in town,” she admitted. “We are ready and why not give it a try?”

After selling over 15,000 cupcakes last season, there’s little surprise that one of the limited weekend offerings will include a variety of cupcakes.

Other items expected to be offered include muffins, scones, a type of sticky bun or brioche, cinnamon butter puffs, whoopee pies, cookies, and possibly even an apple pie or chocolate cake.

And don’t forget the coffee, cappuccinos and lattes.

“We are proud to serve Carpe Diem Coffee. It’s very local and very fresh. I order my beans on Monday. They roast on Tuesday and are delivered on Wednesday. The coffee is so good,” Breen said.

With the full season opening on April 7, with hours extending from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and later as the weather improves and summer draws nearer, Breen said there are a few loose ends that still need to be tied.

“We are wrapping up a few projects that we didn't finish with our big renovation last year. We had to refinish the floors because the guy who did it last year really botched it. We are refinishing a few counter tops in stainless steel. We are also rebuilding our computer system,” Breen said. “These things will take place during the weekdays over the next few weeks.”

But even with the soft winter weekend hours, Breen warned that the new hours for Bread and Roses will be influenced by the weather.

“I would like to say that these weekend hours are weather permitting. If the forecast is grim, we aren’t going to open. It costs $500 to open the door, I can’t bear to make all the food and have to throw it away because of bad weather,” Breen said. “So be warned.”

Additionally, the bakery will be closed on March 9 and 10 while the staff attends a coffee convention.

With sunshine in the forecast and as the anticipation to enjoy favorite baked goods grows, Breen said she’s looking forward to serving the Ogunquit community and visitors once again.

“We are looking forward to seeing friends and catching up,” Breen said. “We strive to create an experience that is more than the great baked goods or the coffee. We want to be your great place.”

Bread and Roses Bakery is located at 246 Main Street in Ogunquit. To read more about the bakery, visit www.breadandrosesbakery.com.