Made out of Dough bakery opened its first permanent storefront location in Belmont, incorporating a unique model that offers a space not only for its popular desserts but also for other small businesses that sell products ranging from candles to local honey.
While it sells a variety of cupcakes, muffins and cookies, the bakery is known for its impressive made-from-scratch scones, ranging in flavors from strawberry guava to honey fig, with savory scones like pumpkin, gruyere and thyme available as well. Courtney Tomioka started the business with her mom over a decade ago after working as a country club chef, with her wife Michele DeSmet joining a couple years later.
“It started with scones at farmers’ markets, and since then we have grown, doing wedding cakes, corporate catering and renting a commercial kitchen,” DeSmet said.
DeSmet also has a culinary background, working in a number of food establishments and kitchens, including restaurants and a stint at LinkedIn. After more than a decade with Made out of Dough, it became clear demand kept growing.
“We kept getting asked at farmers’ markets where they could get it from at a store, so eventually we thought we could make something work,” she said.
The San Mateo couple has made an effort to put community front and center, running food-filled block parties and festivals. And unlike many bakeries, Made out of Dough, located on Old County Road, plans to host its own open mic night and Friday night dinner. In an ode to Tomioka’s roots, the store is also meant to create the feeling of a local spot, known in Hawaiian culture as a frequent, community-gathering space, with 28 other vendors selling their own goods and products at their store.
“A local spot where all the locals go, whether it’s a movie theater or a restaurant,” she said. “We created our own local spot, which is our storefront but also 28 other vendors’ storefronts.”
The local businesses sell a range of products, such as juice, coffee, candles or artwork. DeSmet said they don’t take commission and will most likely rotate the businesses quarterly.
“It’s expensive, and small businesses are not doing OK,” she said. “We thought, why not give everyone an opportunity to have a storefront?”
Made Out of Dough is at 200 Old County Road in Belmont. Go to madeoutofdough.com or call (650) 753-4999 for more information.
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