By TERESA RESSEL
Daily Journal Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, July 23, 2009
Updated: Thursday, July 23, 2009 11:52 AM CDT

BONNE TERRE — Jim and Laura Wills used to drive by the old Bonne Terre bakery, wishing it were still open.

They got tired of wishing and began working and dreaming.

The Wills purchased the building in February and hope to reopen the bakery in July, filling it again with the scents of donuts.

Besides donuts, Jim said they will also have muffins, fresh bread, birthday cakes, pastries like turnovers, creme horns, cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, and other dessert type items. They are also looking into have cheesecake from time to time and low-sugar pastries. There will be fresh-brewed coffee, juice, and milk.

Details are still being worked out, but he hopes to open at about 5:30 a.m. and then close it early afternoon, depending on what the customers want.

He and his wife will be the sole staff with occasional help from their daughter during the summer.

Jim said he has always had an interest in cooking and baking. He said he worked at a restaurant to put himself through college.

He decided it was time for a career change after 19 years as a social worker. Lori is a teacher, who has been home-schooling their three children for the last 16 years. Their two youngest, a freshman and a senior, have decided to go to school for their remaining high school years.

Jim figured if he has to do something to make money, it might as well be something he loves.

“I think it will be a great job,” he said.

Jim was born and raised in Bonne Terre. Lori is from Fenton but the couple has lived in the area for the last 20 years.

Jim remembers his family frequenting the bakery when it was run by Smokey Johns. Later, the Webers ran it but closed it a couple years ago.

Jim said bakeries are kind of a dying breed. There’s only a few in the county.

He said when people stop by the store and ask what he’s opening in the old bakery, they get excited and mention what their favorites were growing up. He is taking suggestions and looking up good recipes.

The Wills are putting a lot of work into the century-old building. They have replaced the flooring, and are repairing the walls and ceilings. They will be purchasing all new equipment.

The family was able to qualify for a $5,000 grant by taking a eight-week Small Business Administration course that was offered this year in Bonne Terre. The grant was from Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Missouri.

Jim said everyone who finished the class and completed a successful business plan was eligible for grant funding.

The Workforce Investment Board (WIB) of Southeast Missouri received grant funding from the Missouri Division of Workforce Development to put on the classes and give mini-start-up grants. Southeast Missouri State University served as the subcontractor for coordinating, teaching and doing all the grant purchases for the winners.

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.

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