Glenboro Bake Shop new owners keeping traditions and offering fresh ideas

It was early June when Dave and Jill Kelley, longtime owners of the Glenboro Bake Shop, made the difficult decision to close the store indefinitely. After years of having the business on the market with only one offer that fell through at the 11th hour, the couple felt it was time to hang up their aprons and embrace retirement.

“Jill’s mom’s health was failing so we felt we had no choice but to close the doors indefinitely,” explained Kelley who had operated the business for 17 years. “I am so grateful I got to end my career doing what I love and serving our customers and friends we’ve come to know over the years.”

The community was saddened when “Closed Indefinitely” was hung on the door and the word and explanation of the closure was posted on social media. For many residents, the bakery had been more than a place to pick up bread or a sweet treat – it was a morning ritual and a part of Glenboro’s identity.

One local, Kelly Wilson, felt the same way. “I know how much the bakery means to the community and really didn’t want to see it close,” Wilson explained. “So when my wife got home from work, I asked her what she would think of the two of us taking it over.”

That single conversation set in motion a new chapter for the bakery – one that blends the Kelley’s legacy with a fresh vision for its future. And truly, it’s a perfect fit. MCpl Wilson spent his 20-year career in the military as a cook and baker, while his wife, Tara, attended Louis Riel Technical College, where she earned a cooking and baking certificate.

The two have also worked side by side in the German kitchen during Winnipeg’s Folklorama for a number of years, serving 2,200 meals a night for seven consecutive days. “We work well together, we don’t even really need to talk. We just know what needs to be done and who needs to do it. Just like a well-oiled machine,” Wilson said with a smile.

“We had considered the bakery when we first moved to Glenboro, but with five children-one an infant and one a toddler, it just wasn’t feasible,” Tara explained. Now, however, one of their children, Keyanna, is old enough to be part of the team. The 14-year-old is loving the business; she has completed the required food safety courses, finished her in-store training, and even designed the Glenboro bakery’s new logo.

Although the Wilson’s didn’t formally take over until August 1, they had been familiarizing themselves the business since early June. “We worked under Dave for a few months, and are so appreciative of him sharing his knowledge and experience.”

While many of the fresh and delicious baked goods still follow the recipes the Kelleys introduced to the community 17 years ago, the Wilsons have begun adding a few of their own. So far, every new creation has been met with positive feedback.

As in the past they will take orders for birthday cakes, but will also keep decorated cakes and muffins in the freezer as well for last minute orders.

While they like to keep a good supply of goods in the freezer, some items don’t freeze well. Rather than let them go to waste, the Wilsons send them to hospital staff and Sara’s Pantry. “It gives us a lot of pleasure to do this for the community,” smiled Tara, a former support worker at the Glenboro Hospital.

The additions aren’t limited to the baked temptations under the glass showcase. The Wilsons have also introduced daily lunch specials including wraps, pizza by the slice, and an assortment of salads, while keeping the ever-popular submarine sandwiches. 13” and 17” pizzas are still made to order and can be ordered ahead to be picked up prior to closing. They also offer a discount to all military personnel as well as health care workers.

Presently the hours are Tuesday through Friday 9-5, but Tara commented that beginning in September they will open Saturdays for a trial run.

Plans for the future include some renovations to the storefront, but both Kelly and Tara are committed to keeping the small-town country charm that makes the bakery feel warm and cozy, even when the ovens are turned off. “So many people comment on the atmosphere, so we don’t want to change that,” Tara said. “We only want to add to its present warmth.”

After a couple of months of training with the Kelleys and just a few weeks on their own, Kelly and Tara along with their staff, Keyanna and Aiden, have been serving up sweets and specialty breads, including a variety of sourdoughs. The bakery has quickly become a favourite spot for locals to enjoy their lunch and earned praise from visitors and travellers passing through the area.

With the Kellys’ legacy carried forward and the Wilson’s fresh energy behind the counter, the Glenboro Bakery remains to serve the community the familiar favourites as well as new reasons to stop in.

PHOTO CAPTION: (l. to r.) Keyanna, Kelly and Tara Wilson are the new owners of the Glenboro Bake Shop. They formally took over the business on August 1, 2025. PHOTO SUBMITTED