“We bake all we sell and we sell all we bake”
Strathmore Bakery and Café’s 1970s logo applies as much today as it does looking back to 1946 when the business was established by the Simpson family. Still owned and operated by the same family, this Strathmore icon is currently run by Karen and Ross Simpson and among its number of loyal and long-serving staff members is Emerge client, Sallie.
Karen describes Sallie as “ very willing to do extra things when we are under pressure”. Sallie is “always happy, chatty and has an amazing memory”, for example recognising and remembering the names of customers she went to kindergarten with. She is responsible for clearing tables, dishwashing and putting everything back in its correct place. She also helps keep the bakery clean and tidy and sweeps the stairs to the office area. In Sallie’s words, “I love it, it makes me happy to talk with people. I especially love it when people see me and ask if I’m still at the bakery”.
Karen recalls how Sallie once upstaged Annette King. It was 2004 and the Minister was opening the completely refurbished premises following destruction of the original bakery/café by fire. Sallie spontaneously came forward to speak and “had us all in tears. Ross and I were speechless”.
The bakery produces the whole range of bakery products, from biscuits and prizewinning pies to custom made wedding cakes. The café is open early for brunch and lunches, with customers popping in during the day for coffees. As the old logo states, all products and all meals are made and sold on the premises.
Sallie & Karen @ Strathmore Bakery
