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Date: 8/30/2023
LONGMEADOW — An all-scratch bakery will be the latest craze in Longmeadow when The Latest Kraez opens at 469 Longmeadow St. in November.
“I was always baking for fun,” said Rachael Kraez, the bakery owner and a Longmeadow native. “I’ve been passionate about it for years. I realized it was something I could go to school for, so I did.”
For the past three years, Kraez has been running her baking business from her home kitchen.
“Everything [is] from scratch. Obviously, that can be limiting. I don’t have the staff to do it on a large scale in my home kitchen,” she said. Kraez said it was time to take the next step and open a storefront.
The American-style bakery will offer various baked goods, such as cupcakes, cookies and cakes. “My go-to is the classic chocolate chip cookie,” Kraez said of her favorite recipes to make. She also will have muffins, cinnamon rolls and scones available in a pastry case at the front of the shop. The Latest Kraez will have what she called “staple flavors” year-round but will also offer seasonal pastries and desserts, as well as a line of coffee to complement the baked goods.
“My goal is to be the neighborhood bakery,” but still be able to accommodate any size order, “whether it’s five cookies or 500.” Kraez said. She added that her staff of bakers and decorators will be trained in how to prepare recipes for those with dietary restrictions and allergies, such as gluten-free and vegan products.
Kraez expects much of her business will be custom orders. “Customers can come in and get a muffin and coffee and say, ‘While I’m here, I have an [event] I can order cookies for,” she said, describing her vision for the bakery.
Kraez said she hopes to have the bakery open by Thanksgiving so it can, “Start off with all the flavors, all the pies.” She said people want baked goods around the holidays. She added, “Then, in January, we’ll see where it goes.”