The Eastern Manitoba Tourism Association is proud to spotlight Gran’s Bake Shop and encourages
everyone to visit this exceptional bakery in Lac du Bonnet.
Step through the door and the aroma of fresh baking welcomes you. Cinnamon and freshly brewed
coffee fill the air, stirring the appetite and creating the comfort of coming home to a warm hug.
Owner Angie Arthur turned her dream into reality after years of selling fresh baking at the Farmers’
Market. She served her community there from 1990 until opening the bake shop in 2017, when her
loyal customers followed her through its doors. She has never looked back.
Before opening the shop, Angie worked for 27 years as a health care aide at the Lac du Bonnet
Personal Care Home and for four years in a grocery store bakery. After retiring for health reasons, her
passion for baking remained. Determined to build a new chapter in her life, she approached
Community Futures for a loan. Her first request was declined with the comment, “You can’t make
money selling a package of cookies.” Undeterred, Angie revised her proposal, and Community
Futures—though initially doubtful—agreed to help. The organization worked with her to develop a
business plan and advertising and funded the shop’s equipment and rent. Gran’s Bake Shop was born.
After signing the lease, Angie began to question herself, her idea, and its chances of success. A friend
believed in her, offered steady support, worked alongside her, and became her biggest fan. With that
encouragement, Angie moved forward and has not looked back.
Community Futures named Gran’s Bake Shop Business of the Year in both 2018 and 2019.
Angie says her family has always supported her and steps in whenever extra hands are needed,
especially for large orders. Two cheerful young women have also worked alongside her for the past
four years; both love their jobs and love working with Angie.
About 95% of Angie’s recipes were passed down by her grandmother, mother, and mother-in-law—
time-tested favourites rooted in family tradition. She says customers especially love the cinnamon
buns and ginger snaps, estimating that she makes more than 100,000 ginger snaps each year. Her
own favourite is her mother’s “Jam Jams,” a traditional Mennonite recipe handed down through
generations. This writer’s favourite is the cinnamon knots.
So we strongly encourage you to take a scenic drive to Lac du Bonnet and make Gran’s Bake Shop at
100 First Street your first stop. Pick up something baked with love to share, along with a fresh cup of
coffee made from locally roasted beans.
