By Allie Brawley
After years of catering, Dana Reid always harbored a desire for a bakery. Sensing a need for such a place, she seized the opportunity and opened Little Buoy Bakery & Café in November 2021. Nestled at the crossroads of M-34 and M-129 in a former gas station, Little Buoy is a culinary haven offering a delightful experience for the taste buds.
“First it was a Shell station, then an art gallery and now it’s a culinary gallery!” says Reid. “We’re often referred to as a test kitchen.”
Little Buoy Bakery & Café had no set menu; instead, it is a daily adventure for patrons. The offerings change regularly, influenced by what is happenings in the area – whether it is the excitement of the Lion’s playoff game, the adrenaline of the I-500 race or the festive spirit of Snowfest. Reid and her team take pride in crafting homemade delights and even make their own butter and sausages.
Dabbling in a wide variety of daily breakfast and lunch offerings, Little Buoy also features soups, sourdough bread and “heat & eat” take-out food. While they do not have a fryer for traditional donuts, Little Buoy compensates with their unique sweet and savory buoy buns. The bacon, egg and cheese combination is a local favorite. The soup selection is equally diverse, featuring flavors such as roasted tomato, potato ham and Tuscany. The cold case displays tempting items like seafood salad and broccoli salad, perfect for those looking for a quick, tasty bite.
Reid’s culinary team, a tight-knit group of 6-8 employees in the winter, swells to about 20 in the summer to meet the demands of the busy season. The bakery is open five days a week, dedicating the remaining two days for meticulous food preparation.
As the warmer months rolled in, boating enthusiasts can enjoy the bakery's party subs that can easily feed eight people. Little Buoy Bakery & Café had become more than just a place to grab a bite to eat; it is a culinary journey, a celebration of flavors carefully curated by a self-proclaimed foodie.
“I am a food nerd,” admits Reid with a smile, “All I do is look at recipes and dream about food!”
In Cedarville, Little Buoy Bakery & Café has become a beacon, drawing locals and visitors alike with its evolving menu and the passion of a woman who turned a gas station into a destination for culinary exploration.
Follow Little Buoy Bakery & Café on Facebook and Instagram.