New Boyne City Bakery coming in March

Tom Greetis and Rebecca Harris

The Johan’s Bakery building at 110 S. Lake Street was acquired by Boyne City Bakery LLC on December 30. New owners Rebecca Harris and Thomas Greetis are busy renovating and updating the building with plans to open in March. In addition to having full-time baking tenants, they will provide a commercial kitchen to other food entrepreneurs, offer community food education and other hands-on events.

“Our vision is to bring back a working bakery and facilitate entrepreneurial food-based businesses with an emphasis on local ingredients. It is so exciting to be part of downtown Boyne City. Tom and I love this community and look forward to helping shape its future. We believe in a collaborative and competitive downtown environment,” Harris said.

“Tom and Rebecca are very passionate about Boyne City and they will make such a positive impact on our downtown. We are extremely lucky to have them invest in our community and bring their vision, passion and extensive knowledge to a new business venture. They will help drive the excitement and growth on South Lake Street,” said Lori Meeder, director of the Boyne City Main Street Program.

Harris noted that “We are waiting to announce who the baking tenants will be, but their well-established and loved products are going to thrill the community. Customers will be able to take home products or they may sit down inside or out seasonally on both Lake and Front Streets.”

Tom Greetis moved to Boyne City in 1974 to work at Courter Products now Honeywell. As a project and manufacturing engineer he enjoyed a rewarding career spanning 36 years. He has served on Friends of the Library, Boyne City planning commission, and volunteered as Challenge Mountain treasurer for over 15 years.

Rebecca moved to Boyne City in 1991 and worked at Harbor House Publishers until 2011. Since 2012 she has managed the Boyne City Farmers Market. She has been involved in many organizations, projects and initiatives, including Challenge Mountain board, Main Street Design Committee, Walkabout Sculpture Tour, SOBO Arts Festival, Stroll Through History and the Historical Walking Tour.

Harris stated that “the last four years with the market have been some of the most rewarding in my life. I have had the opportunity to learn from the market’s charter farmers (over 34 years) and experienced the addition of five new first generation farmers. We have held fundraising events, raising over $34,000 towards the permanent winter home for the market. Had I not become involved with the market, local farmers and the local food movement I don’t think we would have taken this path,” Harris said.

The bakery will be open early morning until mid afternoon. More details will be announced in March.