Monica Kersey, with substantial support from her family, has refashioned the Padden House into a chic bakery and cafe. She remembers visiting this historic house as a child to buy crafts. When she toured it with her husband, Michael, they immediately knew this was the perfect spot for her dream bakery.
On the main floor to the left, a glass case is filled with fresh-baked goodies such as ham-and-cheese croissants ($6), scones ($3 each, cranberry orange, pumpkin or cream), pies, marionberry cream cheese Danishes ($4), tall, frosted cinnamon rolls, cupcakes swirled with frosting, muffins, an assortment of macarons, bars (brownies, lemon pie) and a collection of generously-sized cookies ($2.25) — oatmeal raisin, molasses, peanut butter, snickerdoodle, chocolate marshmallow, chocolate chip, wheat-free monster cookies, sugar cookies with buttercream frosting, and vegan chocolate chip. On my visit, the smell of vanilla and cinnamon filled the room, transforming the bakery into Grandma’s kitchen. Kersey said, “Our ovens are never off.”
This is a family business — Kersey’s parents, Russ and Kandis White, help out at the counter, wash dishes and bake. Kersey’s son, Jonah, created the panini menu. Her husband, Michael (known as Jason to family), is responsible for the chili recipe. Her brother, Chris, makes dog treats.
To the right of the staircase, there’s an elegant room filled with cafe tables and chairs with chandeliers bobbing from the ceiling like sparkling earrings worn by a grand dame at the opera. This cozy space with turquoise accents and crisp, black-and-white striped window valances is the perfect spot to catch up with a friend while enjoying breakfast (biscuits and gravy, ham-and-cheese croissants, bacon or spinach quiche), eating lunch (turkey pesto panini, zesty Italian panini, cheese panini or beef chili and a cornbread muffin) or sipping Valhalla Coffee or Smith Tea with a fresh-baked pastry. The cheese panini ($7) with toasted golden sourdough bread loaded with melted Muenster and pepper jack cheese, pesto and a slice of tomato satisfied my autumnal grilled cheese craving.
