Grahame's Bakery — Restaurant in North Grenville

Founded: 1885 Owners: Rick Grahame and Debbie Wilson Survival strategy: Focusing on fresh products and quality ingredients

Like his father and grandfather before him, Rick Grahame rises long before the birds to begin his day at his family-owned bakery in the Eastern Ontario town of Kemptville.

At 2:30 in the morning, five days a week, Mr. Grahame heads to the annex at the back of his house and fires up the massive wood-burning brick oven that has been in use at that location since 1885. His sister and co-owner, Debbie Wilson, often joins him a few hours later to help provide doughnuts, bread and other baked goods for local restaurants and retail customers.

There has been a bakery operating at 115 Clothier St. E. since Alphaeus Patterson started it more than 130 years ago. The shop has been in the Grahame family since 1960 when Rick's grandfather, Leonard, bought it after working there for 21 years.

Grahame's Bakery is one of those businesses that give a small town its character, having defied the challenges of modern consumer preferences and competition from chains like Tim Hortons. The bakery itself is a rear addition tucked behind a clapboard house on one of the town's main streets; a small pennant hung like a flag indicates its presence. It accepts cash or cheque only.

Named to the Canadian registry of historic places, Grahame's is one of the last bakeries in Canada to use a wood-fired brick oven – a mammoth devourer of softwood that takes two hours to heat up and is responsible for the heritage designation.

Generations of parents have made the bakery a regular stop before or after early morning hockey practices – Grahame's cake doughnuts are locally famous. Long-time residents remember being served by Rick's grandfather, and his father and mother, Ken and Rose.

But it's a tough grind. Mr. Grahame, 52, inherited the shop when his father died in 2005. He starts his day at 2:30 and doesn't finish until 5:30 p.m, usually catching a power nap at noon. Ms. Wilson, 58, puts in three long days each week, while family members pitch in during busy times. And both siblings – who had careers elsewhere before returning to the bakery – have spouses who bring in the lion's share of the family income.

"There's not a lot of wages being taken out – it's more you're making a living and you're a service to the community," Mr. Grahame said. "There's a lot of satisfaction from customer service and dealing with the public, and seeing the younger people grow up and having families."

His keys to success: Ensuring the best quality, freshest product, and not pricing yourself out of business while keeping ahead of...

We had our second wonderful experience at the amazing and world famous Grahame's Bakery in Kemptville. How many bakeries use a wood fired burning oven? We pre-ordered 2 dozen of the fabulous Cinnamon Buns and I must say they are the best buns in the East & West. We also grabbed a dozen mixed donuts which were so delicious- melt in your mouth fresh. The staff and baker are the most friendly and accommodating folks almost better than the wood baked oven treats, almost! This is our go to Bakery as it's worth the trip from Ottawa and next time we will order the famous Apple Fritters and Butter Tarts. Make sure you get there early or order ahead as these wonderful treats move fast off the shelves. This Bakery is truly a Bakery icon in Kemptville! Wish I could give...

We purchased the sourdough bread, apple fritters and a butter tart. Amazing! We would have taken pictures, but we ate everything so fast! lol My husband said the apple fritters were the best he has ever had, he has had a few🤭. The butter tart was perfect! I love butter tarts, but I find they can be sickeningly sweet and just taste like sugar syrup. Of course a butter tart is going to be sweet, but their butter tarts are the perfect size and the pastry compliments and balances the filling. We almost turned around to go back and get more. We will definitely be making a trip back. This hidden little gem of a bakery is a must...