This weekend is the final chance for residents to grab one of Knead & Feed’s orange rolls or cinnamon buns.
The family-run business of 45 years is officially closing its doors in Coupeville, after the Kroon brothers decided it’s time to move on to new adventures in life.
The bakery and restaurant have passed among hands in the family of seven siblings, including most recently Doug, Jerry and Thom Kroon, after their sister Jeannette ran the business for more than 30 years.
They don’t have any relatives able to take on the business.
Already, the community has shown an outpouring of affection for the business owners, leaving messages on Facebook and signing posters at the bakery.
“We’ve had such a wonderful response from the community,” Doug Kroon said.
Over the years, the owners of the Knead & Feed were many high school students’ first bosses and supplied their first paychecks.
“We’ve had generations of families that have worked for us,” Doug Kroon said.
The building is rife with memories for the Kroon siblings, who grew up working and running the business from a young age.
Despite the goodbyes at Knead & Feed, Coupeville won’t lose the small-town hangout for a place to grab a cup of coffee and chat in the historic Front Street building.
Lights will be back on and the doors will reopen under the Little Red Hen Bakery name.
Oystercatcher and Little Red Hen Bakery owners Sara and Tyler Hansen, who will now rent the building, said they will open the upstairs bakery in November, prior to Thanksgiving. They expect to open the larger downstairs space in February.
Sara Hansen said they want to offer the community a similar gathering place, preserving the cozy atmosphere of Knead & Feed.
“Good food, good price point. People like to have a good cup of coffee,” she said.
“It’s been a great staple in town for 45 years now. You always want to continue the tradition of a great bakery and cafe in town,”Tyler Hansen said. “We want to put our own little twist on it and keep it pretty similar to what they’ve been doing.”
They’ll offer their own menu, with Little Red Hen Bakery items, coffee, espresso and grab-and-go items upstairs, with the downstairs offering a fuller menu.
