Monzu Bakery and Custom Cakes has been a staple of Broadway as both a storefront and a regular vendor at the farmers’ market since the business first opened its doors in 2008.
Kathy Bukouricz, who owns Monzu with her daughter Jennifer, said Monzu started as a way to bring new baked goods to Green Bay.
“Monzu started in 2008 as a bistro and custom cake bakery on Broadway,” Bukouricz said. “Jennifer and her partner Ben Jeanson wanted to bring a new dining experience to downtown Green Bay. Ben has since passed away and Jennifer has continued to bring Monzu Bakery and Custom Cakes to a venue with beautiful, delicious and contemporary baked goods.”
The name, Bukouricz said, is “a corruption of the word Monsieur.”
“It was the name given to French Chefs who traveled to Italy to cook for Italian Aristocrats,” she said. “To us it represents the ever-changing nature of food and our appreciation for classical cuisine.”
Even with a storefront, Bukouricz said Monzu has had booths at farmers’ markets since it began.
“We’ve been working the Broadway market since we opened in 2008,” She said. “IgNights have been fun. [We’ve been at] the downtown winter markets since they began. We also set up for Christmas markets in Kohler at the American Club and the Old World Christmas Market in Elkhart Lake.”
Bukouricz said the community atmosphere at the markets — among customers and vendors alike — make the experience enjoyable.
“Being down with all the vendors on Broadway gives us a special sense of belonging to the community,” she said. “ I enjoy working the markets. There are regular customers that are there every week. The vendors are a special group of folks that are offering products that are their very own. People get a chance to get out and walk around comparing produce, all kinds of foods and products.”
Monzu’s farmers’ market offerings include all of the things that Bukouricz said make the bakery unique.
“Monzu Bakery macarons are not just beautiful but the flavors are creative and delicious,” she said. “The stuffed cupcakes are a special treat. At the market we have both stuffed and regular cupcakes, cookies, mac pops, different flavors of macarons and our own lemonade, regular or berry flavored.”
You can find Monzu Bakery and Custom Cakes and their wide variety of desserts at the Broadway Farmers’ Market, or at their storefront located at 620 Gray Street, Green Bay.