Sometimes the sweeter things in life are, well, actually sweeter.
When it comes to freshly baked treats, Grays Harbor has a batch of bakeries to satisfy the sweet tooth, and a few that also answer the call for those craving a savory bite.
Here are a few independently owned Harbor bakeries that are definitely worth checking out if you’re searching for a spot to drop in for a morning scone, donut or cinnamon roll or perhaps an afternoon pastry or cookie.
Aberdeen
Oh My Donuts, at 212 South L St. in Aberdeen, offers all the donut shop delicious classics – old fashioned donuts, cake donuts, filled donuts, fruit fritters and more, including some creations like maple bars with bacon bits that showcase the owners’ creativity.
Donuts can be ordered ahead – including the Giant Donut, which can satisfy a whole family. Oh My Donuts is open daily from 7 a.m. until the donuts are gone. For those interested in something savory, owners Janeth Torres and Dago Herrera also have a food truck, Mr. Taco, located behind their donut shop.
Hoquiam
How does one describe the phenomenon of Nancy’s Bakery? Nancy Lachel is a Harbor icon of baking. She and her crew bake up muffins, cookies, pastries, bread, cinnamon rolls, biscotti and more, including her famous pies and seasonal pumpkin rolls. Nancy’s Bakery is located inside the Grays Harbor Farmers Market, 1956 Riverside Ave. But, if you’ve ever visited the Market, your nose would have told you that! Nancy has been selling her baked goods since 1975 at the Market, but when she began baking at the commercial kitchen there, the aromas brought in even more customers, and now a team of assistants help her meet the demand. The Market is open seven days a week.
Also inside the Grays Harbor Farmers Market is The Sweet Spot Bakery, which specializes in delicious gluten-free baked goods. Owner Toni Spencer began this new venture last summer and has already created a demand for her berry bars, brownies, pumpkin rolls, apple pie bars, carrot cake and muffins – all gluten free! In addition to all that GF goodness, each week Toni whips up at least one vegan treat – typically cookies. The Sweet Spot Bakery’s GF goodies are also available at Organics 101 in Montesano.
In the heart of Hoquiam is The Jitter House, 617 Simpson Ave., where patrons are warmly welcomed as guests by owner Sam Nazario. In addition to its handcrafted coffee, artisan quiches and homemade soups and sandwiches, The Jitter House bakery case brims with scones, tarts, muffins, sticky buns, cinnamon rolls and various European desserts, including fare such as chocolate ganache and French apple cake prepared by baker Olivia Brooks. Nazario, who began the coffee shop some seven years ago, recently purchased the entire historic building and has begun a major renovation with plans that include a hotel and banquet room, as well as an expanded restaurant and bakery. The Jitter House is open from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Just down the street, inside the hip Brunch 101, 716 Simpson Ave., Brittany Figg-Case also offers the baked goods that folks know and love from her first business, CaKeCaKes, which she started in downtown Aberdeen in 2014. After buying the Hoquiam restaurant in November 2018, she and her husband Anthony reopened it in June of 2019, later shutting down the Aberdeen bakery and converting the back of Brunch 101 into a bakery for CaKeCaKes. Brittany works hard to keep the Brunch 101 dessert case full of fresh-out-of-the-oven goodies, including key lime pie, lemon bars, and of course cupcakes of all kinds. Her quarter pounder cookies and French macarons continue to be fan favorites. And, now that she has a restaurant as well as a bakery, special items such as tiramisu, cheesecake and crème brulée also make occasional appearances in the bakery case. See for yourself from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Cosmopolis
The Brass Hub, 1101 First St., is a cute, cozy coffee shop that has well-deserved pride in its exquisite baked goods, which often pair interesting flavors, producing such winners as the blood orange dreamsicle roll, the cherry almond sweet roll and the persimmon almond cookie. From cinnamon rolls to scones, from bars cookies, this is a great place to stop for a treat. In addition, it’s known for having gluten-free items regularly – displayed on the top shelf – as well as paleo and vegan items periodically. If sweets aren’t your thing, consider a bacon cheddar spinach savory roll or bacon cheddar chive scone for breakfast. Owned by Krissi Brunoe and Mario Barajas, it’s possible you’ve tasted some of the Brass Hub’s baked treats served elsewhere in town. Their baked goods are also sold at DJ’s Coffee of Hoquiam, and Tinderbox Coffee Roasters and the Finch & Bull food truck, both of Aberdeen.
Montesano
All Wrapped Up, 110 Pioneer Ave. E., is a beloved coffee shop and bakery in the heart of Montesano, famous for its scones, cinnamon rolls, cookies and bars – all generously sized. Owners Judy and Gary Mawhorter purchased the business in May of 2018. In the last three years, the Mawhorters have expanded the business in a variety of ways, including a major remodel that more than doubled the space. In addition, the variety of baked goods offered has increased. More than 20 varieties of cookies take turns in the case each day, and there’s almost always some gluten-free treats available. Judy has also initiated a way to special order large number of goodies online at allwrappedup.cafe, as well as developed a popular kid’s baking academy to teach young people to love baking as much as she does. All Wrapped Up is currently open from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
North Beaches
Ocean Shores Donuts, 676 Ocean Shores Blvd. N.W., opened in November 2020, when just about everyone was ready for a treat! Tray after tray of enticing donuts and pastries could complicate the decision process for the average customer, but the good news is, you really can’t go wrong! Owner Robyn Holt says their croissants, maple bars and donuts filled with custards are some of the best sellers. They also have a specialty breakfast croissant that has become a crowd pleaser. Ocean Shores Donuts is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Ocean Beach Roasters & Bistro, at 841 Pt. Brown Ave., is a busy place, serving breakfast and lunch with freshly baked cookies, brownies, muffins and pastries filling the A-framed restaurant with an aroma that alerts patrons – “Save room for dessert!” In fact, many make sure there’s room by starting the day with a morning muffin or afternoon fresh-out-of-the-oven croissant paired with a fresh cup of Joe, made with carefully roasted coffee beans. Owner Brody Jones says the fan favorites from his bakery case include the lemon bars, pecan bars, cookies and his cold brew brownies. Ocean Beach Roasters & Bistro is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily this time of year. And, if you haven’t heard yet, Jones has expanded his brand by opening a restaurant, OBR East, in Montesano in the former Savory Faire restaurant building, 315 Pioneer Ave. W.
Vista Bakeshop, 202 Meriweather St. in Seabrook’s town center, opened last summer and is wowing patrons with their unique baked goods. Owners Grace Bryan and her husband, Kameron Kurashima, met while working at the Canlis, considered one of Seattle’s most exclusive restaurants. Cinnamon rolls and “cruffins” are the clear top sellers, both are made with flaky croissant dough. Vista Bakeshop is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
South Beaches
Little Richard’s Donuts, 2557 Westhaven Dr., a Westport fixture since 1973, has new owners, Harry and Margaret Carthum, and their son and daughter-in-law, David and Kati Carthum. “One of the reasons we wanted to buy Little Richard’s is because we wanted it to stay a donut shop, and carry on that tasty tradition,” says David, who grew up in Westport where his mom was the principal at Ocosta Elementary for many years. He and Kati worked with the previous owners prior to taking over the shop, learning how to make the donuts and run the business. After Labor Day, they closed down for several weeks to upgrade the equipment, clean and refresh the space and hire new staff. They reopened in October 2021 and have been baking up all the old favorites as well as a few new offerings such as bread pudding (made with donuts), hand pies and sweet rolls. Donut maker Debbie Howard and her crew offer up a Donut of the Day and let everyone know what it is via Instagram and Facebook. The off-season hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday through Monday, which expand to seven days a week beginning spring break.
The Wandering Goose at The Tokeland Hotel, 2964 Kindred Ave., in Tokeland, elegantly displays a wide variety of baked goods in its pastry case. After years of running the highly acclaimed Wandering Goose on Capitol Hill in Seattle, Chef Heather Earnhardt, along with her husband Zac Young, purchased the oldest hotel in the state of Washington in April 2018. The restaurant serves hearty, flavorful Southern fare. It is open for breakfast and lunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and supper from 4 to 8 p.m., which gives plenty of opportunity to enjoy a pastry for breakfast, a cookie for a coffee break, or perhaps a piece of one of Heather’s three-layered cakes as a dessert after dinner. You can’t go wrong with the moist Hummingbird Cake, featuring banana, coconut, pecan and pineapple. It truly must be tasted to be believed. Baked items vary with the season and can be purchased to go – and often are.