When Just Cakes announced on March 17 that it was closing its storefront property on Rugby Avenue, it might have come as a shock to loyal fans of the venerable Bethesda bakery. More than 100 disappointed residents responded to the company’s e-mail blast, with warm memories of the confections, classes and camps offered by the shop.
But a group of partners that includes Bill Schinnerer, husband of Just Cakes’ owner Marge Schinnerer, own the building in which the 10-year-old bakery was housed, and plans to sell it had been in the works for several years. And now that the economy is perking up and construction in Bethesda is booming, the building and adjoining parking lot is for sale.
The bakery will be transitioning to an online store, which will sell chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies, three types of bars, three types of breads and Costa Rican coffee, at least initially. Frozen chocolate chip and oatmeal cookie dough, shipped in dry ice, will also be available. Cakes and cupcakes, which are more difficult to ship, will not be offered.
The baking will take place in the kitchen facility of a Rockville caterer, where former Just Cakes chef Karissa Warren currently works. There’s also another commercial kitchen being lined up should orders exceed the capacity of the Rockville space.
Marge Schinnerer is hanging up her apron, and will be a consultant for the new online project. Mostly, she says she’ll be enjoying her grandchildren—whose ranks have grown from zero to five since the bakery first opened.
Looking back on the business, Schinnerer says “it turned out to be what I had hoped—a small bakery where I got to know all our customers on a first-name basis. I did some of their [kids’] first birthday cakes, and they’re 10 now…It’s been a wonderful, fun rewarding endeavor.”
Online orders should be available shortly at www.justcakes.com
