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New downtown bakery: Traditional meets funky
Hilda Gatton at The Mad Hatter Bakery & Boutique
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Published: May 8, 2009
Downtown Mooresville's new bakery, with its eclectic décor but traditional desserts, is a fresh twist on an old concept.
The Mad Hatter Bakery & Boutique, 178 N. Main St., combines the baking skills of owner Hilda Gatton with the creative talents of her daughter, Jaime Gatton, into one venue that offers both cakes, muffins and other pastries as well as a variety of crafts.
"This gave me a storefront bakery and an outlet for her creations," Hilda Gatton said, classifying her new business as "really different" because it offers plenty of handmade and upcycled – recycled, refurbished and upfitted – crafts as well as baked goods.
"To make it work in this day and time, with this economy, it has to be different," Hilda explained, referring to the vibrant store interior with its polka-dotted counter, red and black furniture, leopard print pillows, wall murals and overall "Alice in Wonderland" atmosphere.
Utilizing that funky, whimsical theme throughout the store, Jaime said it provides Main Street with a fresh bakery perspective.
"I think that downtown needs to be more of an artsy retreat from the business of the interstate," she said, noting hopes that The Mad Hatter can, in the future, serve as a hub for local artists. "If you can do something that can draw people into downtown, you've got local businesses trying to make this a better place to be."
For Hilda, who has operated Simple Creations Bakery out of her Statesville home for several years, the new storefront location brings to life a dream she and her late husband, Joe, both held.
It was his death in 2007 that sparked Hilda's desire to make their dream a reality.
"I always thought about doing this, but I'd always been scared," she said. "I've really stepped out on faith."
With a "tremendous customer base" already established, and the same personal recipes in hand that she's been using for years, Hilda said, "I totally believe in the product that I sell."
Often hearing that her homemade baked goods are "just like grandma's," she mentioned that the items available in her store will change daily, providing a variety of items for consumers that include everything from cookies and cream cheesecake tarts to jumbo brownies, cinnamon raisin bread to blueberry, strawberry or chocolate chip muffins.
Hilda will also offer whole cakes and pies, and some by the slice, in flavors such as a lemon cream cheese pound cake, coconut custard pie and carrot cake. Additionally, coffee, cold drinks, fruit and other food items are available for purchase.
Jaime added that within a month, the store will also sell espresso beverages and fruit smoothies, hoping to create a relaxed coffee-shop vibe within the retailer.
Hilda said she daily bakes all of her items at home – a commercial kitchen is not present at the storefront site – and transports them to The Mad Hatter for hungry customers. Thus, she recommends to those seeking a specific bakery item that they place orders at least two days in advance.
"We're offering something unique," said Hilda, adding that it makes her day to see the excitement of a child, a parent or anyone who purchases one of her cakes.
"I learned that anything I can do to make somebody's memory even sweeter, that's my goal."
The Mad Hatter Bakery & Boutique is open Tuesday through Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, call 704-663-7572.
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