New Pastry Shop “Place of Taste” Opens in Bauska, Sells Out Entire Stock on Day One

A new pastry shop, “Place of Taste”, has opened on Dārza iela in Bauska, and customers bought up the whole stock prepared for the first day. This was reported to the local outlet “Bauskas Dzīve” by the shop's representative, Amanda Brūvere. The shop was set up by the company SIA “IN gastro”, which was already in the catering business at another location, Rītausmas in Īslīce parish. The source gives the opening date as Wednesday, 7 October.

From Īslīce to Bauska

In Īslīce parish the company had been making baked goods for shops and educational institutions in Bauska municipality, as well as for its own eatery, “Bistro Rītausmas”. Moving production to Bauska had long been a goal, but suitable premises were hard to find. According to Brūvere, a pastry business needs not only a sales area but also production space, because it makes its products itself.

All pastry production now takes place in Bauska, while the bistro in Īslīce parish continues at its original location. Finished products are also delivered from Bauska to the bistro, and the new facility will keep supplying shops and schools in Bauska municipality.

The offer

The menu includes buns, pies, cakes, flatbreads and cookies, as well as pastry platters and treats for special occasions. Hot items include pizzas, hot dogs, sausages in dough and burgers. Brūvere names on-site preparation as one of the shop's strengths: dough, buns and pies are made there, as are the hot dog and burger buns. Ready-made buns or dough pieces that only need reheating or baking are not bought in.

The range is to be expanded gradually as new recipes are tried. The name, which means “a place of taste” in English, was chosen so that the shop would not be tied to a single product. There are six seats, so visitors can drink coffee and enjoy freshly baked goods on the spot.

Staff and opening hours

Five people work at the shop, and the opening created one new job. Brūvere acknowledges that the food sector must still reckon with rising costs of ingredients and other inputs, but says the priority is high quality at affordable prices. Attracting qualified pastry chefs and cooks to the region is a challenge, she says, though the company is ready to train new staff.

On weekdays the shop is open from 10:00 to 18:00, and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 14:00. Hours may be adjusted to customer demand.

The shop is next to Bauska Secondary School, and pupils have already noticed it. Sixth-graders said shopping there is better value than the school canteen.