West Allis, Wis.—Lane’s Bakery & Gift Shop, located in Madison, Wis., was named the 2010 Bakery Operation of the Year (BOY) by the Wisconsin Bakers Association (WBA). The award was presented March 8 during the WBA’s 4-B Bash at Major Goolsby’s in Milwaukee. The WBA’s annual dinner event was held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Restaurant Expo.
The recipient of the award remains a secret until the moment the name is revealed. Chuck Lane, who owns the bakery with his brother Mike, was in attendance to accept the award. He was speechless when his family’s bakery name was revealed, and the announcement required a phone call to his parents, Jerry and Nancy Lane, who were on vacation in Florida.
“As long-time members, the Lane family has been very active in the Association,” Schmidt said about the business prior to announcing the recipient. “Our current past president has helped us to make some big decisions as our Association has moved forward.”
The business was started in 1954 by Charles and Fay Lane. According to the bakery’s Web site, “Lane's Bakery & Gifts has a long tradition of serving the Madison area with uncommonly delicious treats. Dedication to service and only the finest quality items to deliver the best customer service has always been the mission of Lane’s Bakery & Gifts.”
“I’m very thankful for the award and for the all the help other bakers have given us through the years,” Chuck Lane said after receiving the award. “We couldn’t do it without all of you.”
Chuck Lane currently is the WBA past president and has served many years on the board. His father and grandfather also have served on the WBA board in the past. The business was named National Baker of the Year in 1975. Visit the bakery’s Web site at www.lanesbakeryandgifts.com for more information about the business.
This year’s recipient was chosen by the past winners of the BOY award. Criteria for selecting the Bakery Operation of the Year winner included: (a) making non-monetary contributions to the bakery’s community, (b) making non-monetary contributions to the baking industry, (c) making non-monetary contributions to the Wisconsin Bakers Association, (d) something that qualifies the bakery as outstanding and/or unique, (e) must have received a Bakery Operation of the Month Award during the current calendar year and (f) must be a WBA member.
The Bakery Operation of the Year award was created to recognize an outstanding bakery operation annually. Each year’s winner gets to keep the coveted BakeMark trophy for one year and the traveling trophy is then passed on to the new winner. The winner also receives a permanent plaque to display in their bakery.
The nominees for 2010 Bakery Operation of the Year were those WBA members earning the Bakery Operation of the Month award in the past. In addition to Lane’s Bakery & Gift Shop, other nominees were Clasen’s European Bakery, Middleton, Wis.; Fosdal’s Home Bakery, Stoughton, Wis.; Fox Valley Technical College Bake Shop, Appleton, Wis.; Johnston’s Bakery, Sheboygan, Wis.; Linda’s Bakery, West Salem, Wis.; Moraine Park Technical College, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Smurawa’s Country Bakery, Pulaski, Wis.; Sweet Creations Village Bakery, Slinger, Wis.; The Extra Special Touch Bakery, Waukesha, Wis.; The Swiss Colony, Monroe, Wis.; Vande Walle’s Candies, Appleton, Wis.; and Weber’s Bakery, Lodi, Wis.
Previous Bakery Operation of the Year winners are:
2001 – Colligan’s Bakery, Plover, Wis.
2002 – Grebe’s Bakery, Milwaukee
2003 – Manderfield’s Home Bakery, Appleton & Menasha, Wis.
2004 – Wild Flour Bakery, Milwaukee
2005 – Scott’s Pastry Shoppe, Middleton, Wis.
2007 – Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe, De Pere and Suamico, Wis.
2008 – Melody Cookies, Oak Creek, Wis.
2009 – O&H Danish Bakery, Racine, Wis.
About the WBA
The WBA is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping members increase their baking and business knowledge, fostering the education of future bakers, keeping members informed about developments in the baking industry and legislative matters affecting them, and representing members’ interests at the state and federal government levels. Organized in 1905, the WBA is made up of retail and wholesale bakeries; multi-unit operators; supermarket bakeries; specialty shops; bakery suppliers; college bakery programs; manufacturers and associate members. There is also a student membership category to bring future members of the industry into the fold. Visit www.wibakers.com for more information and event updates. The WBA Member Services Center is located at 2514 S. 102nd St., Suite 100, West Allis, Wis.
Source: Wisconsin Bakers Association