This year’s Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group business of the year, White Tree Bakery (owned by Jen Juhl), views the accomplishment as another success for the business over the past three years.

“It feels amazing to be named business of the year by Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group,” Juhl said. “I didn’t think I’d be able to see such growth at such a rapid pace. After three years and three locations, I feel so happy that the community has supported me throughout.”

White Tree Bakery started in Juhl’s own kitchen as a hobby she started in her spare time, but as the community’s support has grown, so has her footprint. In early 2023, she started a shop with traditional hours at First Street Community Center in uptown Mount Vernon and then moved into a space with larger foot traffic, stepping into the former The Nourishing Root and Big Creek Emporium space in late October.

“Having a business in uptown Mount Vernon has provided foot traffic that really accelerated my business this year,” Juhl said. “People who wouldn’t ordinarily stop at a bakery do so because of the visibility I have in Uptown.”

Of course, operating a bakery comes with its own challenges – long hours and early mornings, all while balancing the other responsibilities of being a business owner and her personal life.

One of the things Juhl was recognized for was her support of the uptown businesses and festivals in Mount Vernon. For Juhl, that is just about being a great neighbor for so many other businesses.

“Being part of Uptown allows me to collaborate with my neighbor businesses, like desserts at Little Scratch, gluten-free and vegan cupcakes at Plantiful Pantry, and desserts for Palisades Café,” Juhl said. “The exposure this provides is great, but it’s basically about being a great friend and neighbor, and helping provide something for their business that they may not have the ability or desire to do themselves.”

One of the things Juhl loves about her business is working with seasonal ingredients and coming up with inspirations for her menus for each season.

“I also have customers and staff who tell me about something growing in their garden or a wonderful meal they had, and just let the creative thoughts roam,” Juhl said. “We do a lot of recipe testing and development here, too, because I want to get it just right.”

And part of growing her business with foot traffic has also been increasing her staff at the bakery. What just used to be Juhl and her immediate family helping with orders, has now grown to two regularly scheduled employees and seasonal help from area young adults, especially during Mount Vernon’s festivals.

“We have a lot of fun here, but we also work very hard,” Juhl said. “I’m hiring for a part-time bakery assistant, too, and look forward to finding our next team member.”

For Juhl, though, the true cherry on top of this success has been the support she has from the community over the past three year. The support has allowed her to take baking from a part-time gig to a fully functioning bakery each week.

“My bakery is nothing without my repeat customers, people who drop in when their children and grandchildren are back in town, or for the families who stop in for a treat together,” Juhl said. “My thanks for their support over the last three years is endless.”

White Tree Bakery is open at 100 First Street S.W. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.