When Caleb Marek bites into a piece of freshly baked bread, no matter how simple it is, the first thing he notices is taste — something most supermarket brands have lacked since sliced bread was first sold in 1928.
The head baker at the new Oakley Bakery may favor the strong tang that comes with biting into a piece of sourdough, but he’s also fond of the lingering olive oil and herbs that can be found in European-inspired bakes and identifying notes of honey and molasses in fresh grain varieties. Even basic white bread can be transformed into something soft and rich with a bit of butter and milk.
Marek’s sweet tooth produced his interest in baking when he was a child. He explored his new passion in the small town of Rigby, Idaho, before deciding to relocate to Ogden in 2013 to attend culinary school at Ogden-Weber Technical College. A mentor there inspired the aspiring baker to explore the art of making bread. Marek realized it was something he could mold into a career.
People who have ordered a burger at the Oakley Diner have already tasted what Marek has been whipping up. But with construction on the new business now complete, there will be a lot more than just homemade hamburger buns on Weber Canyon Road.
The venture is part of businessman Steve Smith’s vision for the city center in Oakley. Smith owns the Oakley Diner and the bakery. He’s also a co-founder of the Oakley Roasting Co. in Kamas, which recently opened, and is working to build its team. Residents have come to know the shop for its honey-glazed donuts.
Smith always knew he wanted to bring a bakery to Oakley. Growing up, his mother used to bake fresh bread each week. The Kamas Valley native aspires to help the community grow, while holding deep respect for the mountain town and reverence for its Americana lifestyle. He understands residents’ desire to keep the quiet, small town feeling with rural living, open spaces and a sense of community pride.
The Oakley Diner has already served as a catalyst for change, and the Oakley Bakery located underneath could easily be the next piece of the puzzle. Smith reached out to a highly recommended Marek, who spent nine years in the kitchen at Deer Valley Resort and shared in the vision.
The bakery will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday along with Oakley Roasting Co. and FiiZ Drinks; Community members are invited to visit the stores for delicious dirty sodas, delectable baked goods and opening day specials.
FiiZ Drinks and Oakley Roasting Co. corporate entities are majority-owned by The Stena Group, which Smith founded. The coffee and soda shop will operate as a joint entity separate from the Oakley Bakery.
“We are looking to create places where our community can gather, connect and enjoy the best of what a mixed soda shop and a coffee and donut shop can be,” Smith said. “Introducing a franchise soda shop and coffee shop to our small town is about building community, providing employment opportunities for teens and others, and allowing us as residents to have an amazing donut, excellent coffee or a tasty mixed soda in our own backyard.”
Though it has a humble presence in the shared space, the Oakley Bakery provides perfect accompaniments to the rich aroma of coffee, croissants, butter and donuts circulating through the air. Large garage doors can also open, creating a small seating area.
Marek leads a team of four full-time employees, which includes his wife Marley, and other Wasatch Back locals. They’ll have fresh bread baked by 9 a.m. every day, cookies and artisanal pastries like Danishes lining the display cases while cupcakes and fruit tarts will be stocked in a refrigerator.
Oakley Bakery offerings provide tasty, top-quality treats that people would have had to otherwise drive out of town for. Ken’s Kash, another business owned by Smith, will also be stocked with bakery items and Oakley Roasting Co. packaged coffee.
The sourdough, whole grain and other bread varieties will also be served with breakfast at the Oakley Diner giving patrons the ability to bring their favorite items home with them. There’s been great feedback about the hamburger buns, which are made by the bakery, so far. Diners have commented how the bread is soft and fluffy, but it can hold up to the meaty patty and saucy condiments.
“One of the things people first noticed is how a homemade burger bun can elevate a burger. … They notice how flavorful it is,” Marek said. “It’s probably one of the only burgers in the state where you can get a burger with a fresh bun.”
The grand opening ceremony for the Oakley Bakery will begin at 8 a.m. while FiiZ and Oakley Roasting Co. will open one hour earlier. The event will run until close, which is 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., respectively. There will be $1 sodas, $2 specialty drinks and $1 donuts limited to two per person, sourdough loaves for $2.50 as well as cookies and banana bread slices for $1.
Another promotion will start at the Oakley Bakery the following week. Customers can buy one mini pie, and get one free, from Nov. 1 to 14. The mini pies are usually only available in the diner.
However, this will give people a chance to try various flavors before Thanksgiving, when full-size pies will be available for purchase. The choices are traditional apple, cherry, blueberry and pumpkin. There will also be butter rolls and takeaway bread for sale on the holiday.
The bakery will be open until 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The new businesses are located at 981 W. Weber Canyon Road in Oakley, behind the Oakley Diner.
