The Loleta Bakery has closed its doors, at least for now, due to a serious illness in the family. Over the phone, Linnea Hill, who ran the bakery with her mother, owner Jeanne van der Zee, said, “We’re so sad. Our reasons have to do with personal family illness and that’s where we need to be focusing our attention right now … Closing the bakery doors is one of the most heartbreaking decisions we have made as a family.” While the van der Zee’s have been talking about closing for some time, they made the final decision this week. The family is not ruling out a return, but Hill said, “Right now we can’t really think about a timeline for reopening the bakery.”
On the answering machine at the café and bakery van der Zee says that “it is with a heavy heart” that they have closed their doors and thanks the community. The bakery was set to expand — a plan its website still says is in motion — which made the closure all the more surprising to locals who saw the sign on the door this morning.
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This article appears in The GPU.
Oh no I am so sorry to hear this sad news. Knowing that their family is experiencing a health hardship has brought tears to my eyes. They have always been so kind to me even on the days when they were supper busy, they never lacked quality customer service. I have so many happy and special memories that would have never have happened if it were not for this loving family and their lovely little bakery. They really helped me develop a stronger sense of community. I am so sorry that when I return home I will not get a chance to visit you and tell you this in person. Thank you for all that you have given. My thoughts and prayers are with you even from this far off city in Brazil.