Ellen's Bakery & Cafe | Our Story
A neighborhood bakery with a 25-year story
Ellen's Bakery & Cafe has been a scratch kitchen and gathering place in Sylvan Lake, Michigan since 1999. Every loaf, custom cake, and breakfast plate is made the same way it's always been — from scratch.
How Ellen found her calling
Ellen grew up in Virginia, studied art at Virginia Commonwealth University, and found her calling working at a Blacksburg bakery. In 1988 she attended the Culinary Institute of America — where she also met George, her future husband and partner.
Putting down roots in Michigan
After graduating from the CIA, Ellen moved to Michigan to work at the Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids. She and George married in 1992 and settled in Sylvan Lake in 1993 — and six years later, they opened the bakery that still feeds this community today.
Everything made from scratch
From the first day, every item from Ellen's kitchen has been made from scratch — breads, pastries, custom cakes, all of it. The Detroit News put it simply: Ellen's "rolls quality into every dish."
Part of Sylvan Lake life
Over the decades, Ellen's has become the place people return to for the moments that matter — a birthday cake, a Sunday breakfast, a wedding cake made with real care. We'd love to see you.