La Petite Boulangerie d'Elgin re-opens for spring
On a sunny Saturday, March 11th, La Petite Boulangerie d'Elgin reopened its doors for the season. In 2007, Kim Cook opened this special spot, nestled up a long lane in Elgin, QC. Nearly ten years later, loyal customers swung through the door eagerly, buying her out of bread (made with organic Quebec-grown grains) by 11:30am. The wood stove burned while a lunch crowd dined on her homemade soup, sandwiches, delectable pastries and sweet treats.
The idea to open a bakery originally came from her daughter Ellie, Kim explains. Her kids had grown up and left home and she wanted to do something fun and enjoyable. Her daughter said, “Well mum you love to cook and bake, but what you need is a place to do it.” She found that place right on her farm where she and her husband, Perry, designed and built the bakery. The inspiration for the building was an old-style train station with a bright, open concept. Now the sunny room houses a walk-up counter and indoor-seating, as well as tables on the screened-in-porch. Mason jars, antique water pitchers filled with dried flowers, duck decoys and mismatched china, add to the bakery’s country charm.
“My parents were wonderful cooks,” Kim says in response to where she acquired her culinary skills. “And my mother, aunt and Grandmother were wonderful bakers—this was what surrounded me growing up and the love of it carries on here.” Her favorite things to make are beloved recipes from her own childhood and dishes her kids loved, with a new twist here and there. She typically sells three types of bread each week. Swedish Rye and Herb and Cheese are some of the most popular, though preferences change depending on the season.
Customers can also expect to find espresso-made coffees and tea, as well as a few gift items, such as cards that feature photos of the surrounding property, seasonal jams and jellies from locally-grown produce, and Perry’s pottery for sale. The bakery also has wi-fi—for those who need to tune in while surveying the farm animals roaming at large. Locals and tourists alike can appreciate the bakery’s farm-to-table approach. Kim says, “I enjoy talking and sharing with customers that appreciate good food and how it's grown, where it comes from, and the challenges that come with that.”
La Petite Boulangerie d'Elgin is located at 1160 3rd Concession, Elgin. Hours are Friday 11am – 6pm and Saturday 11am – 3pm.