I’ve been wanting to post Brown Bear Baking for a long time now, but they’re so good at what they do, there’s usually a line out the door. For the sake of preserving people’s anonymity, I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment.
Today is it! The wind and rain are fierce, snow is falling on Mt. Constitution, and very few people are out and about. After an invigorating walk in the elements, I felt a pull to stop in Brown Bear on my way home.
Perfect timing! Just a few folks who braved the storm and a case full of stunning baked goods unlike anything you can find elsewhere in Eastsound.
The creators, owners, and head pastry artists of Brown Bear Baking are Lee Horswill and David Ellertsen. Their food is absolute art – everything is done beautifully. When I say everything, I mean everything – not only the pastries but also the labeling, packaging, decorating, furnishings, you name it. The place is always immaculate, catalog-ready eye candy.
To walk in there on a day like today is to go from wet hair swirling uncontrollably around my head and a drenched, soggy jacket stuck to my arms, to a lovely warm haven of twinkling winter lights, rich inviting colors, and warm luscious edibles straight out of the oven.
Keep in mind that the chairs you see above would be full of people, if not for the horizontal rain today.
Half of the place is a beautiful preparation and baking kitchen – we see people at all hours fashioning the elegant creations and homemade breads, and the owners never seem to stop working at keeping their business as top-notch as can be.
Brown Bear Baking is done so thoughtfully and masterfully at every turn that David and Lee elevate the word ‘bakery’ to a whole new implication of excellence.
To learn more about their story, click here.
Night photo by Evan Kulper
Beautiful photos! Enjoyed them very much.
Thank you Geraldine!