By Ben Rodgers
Staff Writer
GREEN BAY – U Bake is under new ownership, but the the store still remains the go-to spot for baking without the mess.
Lance Lins, originally from Ashwaubenon is the new co-owner of the store located at 1214 Military Ave., with his partner Mike Waldo.
At U Bake shoppers can find just about everything they’d want to bake without the hassle of preparing the baked goods first.
The store has freezers full of seasonal roll-out cookies, regular cookies, pies, breads, turnovers, strudel, cinnamon rolls and much more.
All anyone needs to do is preheat the oven and throw the food in for a fresh baked treat.
In addition to helping bakers do their thing without the mess, the store also has rock-bottom prices on baking supplies and a variety of other foods, from crackers to meats to candy.
“That’s what we strive for, the highest quality products at a low price,” Lins said.
After taking over in January, Lins and Waldo have seen steady sales and it boils down to offering something for everyone.
“It’s such high quality at great prices,” Lins said. “It’s not a big grocery store, we sell meats such as hot dogs, brats and lunch meat at a low cost as well items like Triscuits for $1.49 a box. Feeding families at more than a reasonable cost, not breaking the bank, so the store is for everybody.”
Lins and Waldo took the store over from the previous owner Pete Petasek, who still assists with the business.
“Pete’s my neighbor and he had U Bake for 13 years, and just through talking, we decided one day over a Lombardi Beer to make the transition,” Lins said.
Lins and Waldo will make a few changes. So far the counter has been moved, employees will wear aprons and a new storefront is currently being designed.
But as an established businessman, Lins knows the most important thing to focus on.
“It’s about ethics, it’s about respect and offering a quality product to the customer,” he said.
He also spent about 6 to 8 months doing research and making sure the business was a good fit.
Judging by the flow of people who come to the store, some from as far away as Shawano, the move proved to be the right choice.
“I knew what I was buying,” Lins said. “This is a very good spot.”
U Bake is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The store can also be reached at 497-5622.
