HALSTAD, Minn. – Warren Olson stood in the Halstad Bakery at closing time Wednesday waiting to pick up his order. That day it included two brownies and four lemon bars. At the last minute, he decided to throw in two pumpkin muffins as well.
Olson is a regular of the bakery in this small town 35 miles north of Moorhead.
The location had been home to a number of cafes over the past few years. When the latest closed its doors in 2013, Deb Hage and her daughter Heidi Horn decided to put their own spin on it.
They opened a bakery that specializes in homemade rolls, cookies, cakes and bars. To supplement the bakery business, they serve breakfast from 6 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.
“It had changed hands so many times, so we tried something a little different,” Hage said. “The community has really seemed to appreciate it.”
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They are carrying on the legacy of Hage’s father-in-law and Horn’s grandfather, Leland Hage.
Leland opened Halstad Bakery about 1955 and operated it with his wife, Marjorie, until they left in 1973 to concentrate on farming and other pursuits.
Leland died in 1987 and never was able to see what his daughter-in-law and granddaughter accomplished, but Marjorie visited the bakery before she died last November.
“She came up here and she was so proud of the fact that we decided to do this,” Deb Hage said.
One day they would like to invest in more equipment so they can bake the breads and buns that made Leland famous with the locals.
“We enjoy what we do and are just taking it a day at a time,” Deb Hage said.
The mother-daughter team has its hands full for now. Horn starts baking each day between 2 and 3 a.m., and they close the doors at 2 p.m.
They have to explain that fact to customers who wish they served dinner.
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“I have to go home and cook meals for my own family too,” Horn said.
Business profile
What: Halstad Bakery
Where: 117 3rd St. W., Halstad, Minn.
Hours: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: (218) 456-2176
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