bakingbuyer - June 2011 - (Page 44)

PASS THE POP CORN Two Indiana bakeries are popping up new sales by redefining their business model with popcorn, candies and more. by John Unrein Once upon a time in Middle America, if a particular consumer packaged good sold well in Muncie, IN, the product’s brand marketer would have sufficient reason to expand its distribution to a national scale. This is because Muncie long has been long as the quintessential Middle America city—since being subject of the 1929 landmark report, “Middletown: A Study in Modern American Culture.” Muncie was once full of factories, jobs and promise. The factories are all closed up now. Yet, concerning America’s rapidly changing retail bakery landscape, Muncie is home to a bakery that exemplifies the way 44 · BAKING BUYER · JUNE 11 in which a retail baker—any baker— can flourish despite the uncertainty of today’s economy. This bakery is Concannon’s Pastry Shop, Café and Coffee Bar. Mike and Mary Ann Concannon run the two-store family bakery that has been an integral part of Muncie since 1959. The bakery started downtown. In 1978, they moved to their current location on North Walnut. Two years ago came the family’s bellwether decision to open a second store that would completely redefine their business model. “We started diversifying more. We added deli and now offer our own sandwiches, salads and soups. We make our own popcorn. We make our own candy. Years ago, people used to go to the candy store, but that’s a dying thing,” Mike Concannon says. “For a baker, you gotta diversify if you’re going to stick around.” Concannon’s diversification runs deep. In 2009, they opened their first bakery café, which serves up two dozen sandwiches and wraps, seven gourmet salads and five home-style soups on the daily menu. On a good day, the deli will account for 40% of store sales. “And not too many people will go out the door without a pastry

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of bakingbuyer - June 2011

bakingbuyer - June 2011
EDITOR’S NOTE - High-Tech Anxiety
CONTENTS
INDUSTRY NEWS
Dawn Named Main Vendor for RPIA
Caravan Raises $50,000 for March of Dimes
The Baking Channel
The Whole Truth About Whole Grains: Installment One
Team USA Profile
Designer Cookies
CAKELETS: Small Size, Big Buzz
Don’t Dodge Bad Reviews
Healthful Chocolates
Chocoveda’s Healing Chocolate Collections
New Chocolate Cookbook
Box Lunches: Leveraging Gluten- and Allergen-Free Options
The Foodservice Industry’s Hottest Trends:
How the Internet is Shaping Food Choices
FMI Hot Trends of 2011
Pass the Popcorn
Get on the Brand-Wagon
Power in Partnership
Ready for Donuts?
Donut Trivia
Juice Bar of Options
FEATURED PRODUCTS
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
MARKETPLACE NETWORK
AD INDEX
Reflections of a small town Baker
Baker's Dozen
BakeMark's Panadería
INTRODUCTORY LETTER - Tres Leches en Texas
En Camino Hacia Al Público En General
Cuatro Leches: El Próximo Gusto Popular
Tendencias en la Compra de Comestibles
Pasteles Tres Leches
Porción Individual
Fomentando Las Ventas
PERFILES - Fiesta Mart
PERFILES - Anakaren Bakery
PERFILES - Pan Tierra Caliente
PERFILES - Panadería Abuelito
PERFILES - LaCaroz Bakeries
PERFILES - Super Plaza
PRODUCTOS DESTACADOS DE TRIGAL DORADO
CALENDARIO DE DÍAS FESTIVOS
FÓRMULAS
Moving Toward the Mainstream
Cuatro Leches: The Next Big Thing
Trends in Food Purchasing
Tres Leches Cakes
Encouraging Sales
PROFILES - Fiesta Mart
PROFILES - Anakaren Bakery
PROFILES - Pan Tierra Caliente
PROFILES - Panadería Abuelito
PROFILES - LaCaroz Bakeries
PROFILES - Super Plaza
CALENDAR
FEATURED PRODUCTS FROM TRIGAL DORADO

bakingbuyer - June 2011