Spotlights
About Bakeries For Salem, Oregon

A new haven for board game enthusiasts has emerged at the Broadway Coffeehouse in Salem Oregon. Dubbed the "Tabletop Loft," this innovative space is redefining the local cafe culture by blending the love for ethically sourced coffee with the joy of board gaming. Manager Matt Mlinarcik shares the vision behind this unique addition and how it’s creating a buzz among locals and visitors alike. Matt Mlinarcik isn't just the manager of Broadway Coffeehouse; he's the visionary behind the Tabletop Loft. With a tenure of almost five years at Broadway and over two years in his current role, Matt has witnessed the coffeehouse evolve. Yet, it’s his passion for board games and community building that sparked the idea for the Tabletop Lo…

Unique flavors are simmering in Salem, Oregon. Catharine and Matt Kuerbis, the duo behind HYCH: Heat You Can Handle have embarked on a culinary adventure that spans continents, from the lush landscapes of Costa Rica to the local Salem community. Their journey is not just about crafting hot sauces but about creating experiences that bring people together through the universal language of food. The story of HYCH: Heat You Can Handle begins in Costa Rica, where Catharine and Matt were immersed in a world of vibrant flavors and communal meals. It was here, amidst the hustle and bustle of preparing food for music festival crews, that the idea of a sauce company took root. Matt's homemade sauces, born out of necessity and creati…

Michelle's Ashley’s journey to becoming known as “The Cake Lady” behind Michelle Ashley Custom Cakes is a tale of resilience, talent discovery, and sweet success. Her story is proof that a fresh start can lead to delicious destinations. Starting Over In 2010, Michelle decided to begin a fresh start in Oregon following a difficult divorce. Despite knowing only two people in the area, she was drawn to the beauty of the Happy Valley area. So much so, that Michelle decided to move from Texas and make Happy Valley her new home. Shortly after her move, however, she "hardly saw those two people anymore, and ended up feeling truly alone." Michelle's journey improved when she met her future husband through online dating. Love…

How Matthew developed his love of smoking meat Miller's BBQ in Salem Oregon is owned and led by passionate chef, Matthew Miller. From its humble beginning back in April of 2022, Miller's BBQ has grown steadily since and has been making a mark in the local community. Miller leads by example and is known for his huge heart, engaging smile, and high class catered BBQ for events and special occasions. When asked how he got his start smoking meat, Matthew chuckled and said that he learned to smoke meat when he and his wife, Janita, worked as the caretakers at Drift Creek Camp, a small Christian camp located in the Coast Range Mountains just outside of Lincoln City, OR soon after they were married. Matthew said, "We accepted t…

One of the blessings that we have in the Willamette Valley is an abundance of amazing local farm stands. When you want some fresh vegetables, berries, or fruit, we have so many great farms stand to choose from. Today I headed out from West Salem on Highway 22 towards Independence to Stoller Farms, our favorite place to get fresh corn on the cob. They had 3 varieties to choose from; White Blanco, Bicolor, and Yellow Amarillo. They are all so good, so I grabbed a selection of all 3 varieties (although I'm partial to the bicolor). I spoke with Sydnee, part of the 3rd generation farming family. She was busy on the corn trailer sorting the ears and making it more accessible for the customers to reach. She shared that they had sold …

We had the opportunity on Friday evening to swing over to Michelle Ashley Custom Cakes to grab some amazing sweets. They are located in the 45th Parallel building on Hyacinth. If you've never been, and you're looking for a great place to satisfy your sweet tooth, you are in for a huge treat. When we walked in, we were warmly greeted by Michelle. She was wrapping up her day as it was just about closing time, but she took the time to visit with us and say hello. Recently, they had experienced some equipment issues that was severely limiting their ability to operate. After putting out a message on social media, the community came out in a big way and supported her to help her make up some ground. She was genuinely grateful and…