Village Squire, 1980-09, Page 19has not really changed much either - the
same oven is being used - a large brick
oven, fired with coal. Three hundred
loaves of bread can be done at one time.
FAMILY BUSINESS
Mel Culbert says the bakery is a
family business and gives a lot of credit
to his partner and wife, Lillian. "A man
and wife team is very important for
success," he says. "Lillian fully de-
serves half the credit in this business."
The business is really two combined
into one, Mel explained: they manu-
facture and they sell. He manages the
baking end of the operation while Lillian
is responsible for the smooth running
operation of the store.
Their two sons, Barry and Mark are
the actual bakers. They start at 3 a.m.
and work till twelve noon to get the bulk
of the baking done - and they work six
days a week. Two girls help them by
doing the icing and filling doughnuts.
Mel's grandson, Damn also helps. In
total, they have 14 full and part-time
employees. Three summer students are
presently on staff.
KEY TO SUCCESS
"Every day you go to work," Mel
says, "the jobs have to be done over
again - and it has to be done correctly
each day. Everything is made from
scratch and we don't put in any
additives. We come as close to
homemade as a bakery can be."
MANY OUTLETS
The A&P store in Goderich stock
Culbert's baked goods,also, the Red &
White, Bluewater Market and Adair's
Variety. They provide french loaves of
bread to Benmiller Inn and their baked
goods go to church events, restaurants
and to the "coffee cart" in town.
Tourists in the summer double the
output of the bakery and Christmas and
Easter are peak periods. Candy is also
made but it's more a hobby than a
business, Mel says.
Birthday cakes and wedding cakes
are a specialty and Mel does the
decorating. He has made cakes for three
generations in one family.
"One of my customers came in and
said she'd like a wedding cake for her
daughter - just like the one I made for
her," Mel says.
EXPANSION PLANS?
There are no expansion plans for
Culbert's Bakery and Mel Culbert has
no desire to get bigger.
But one look around the store and you
realize he has already achieved excel-
lent quality in his products, a wide
selection of baked goods and lots of
good eating - like nice "homemade
bread", old fashioned apple pie,
chocolate covered doughnuts .
Enjoy the relaxed
atmosphere
of a friendly
bookstore.
Browse and
talk books.
Excellent assortment of
children's books
Canadians
special orders
shady lest
Antiques
Antiques
Crafts & Craft Supplies
Pine Reproductions
•Oil Paintings
•Charcoal Portraits
made to order
•Hand made
quilts and afghans
•Glassware and
china
351 Main St.
Exeter, Ont. NOM ISO
(519) 235-0299
SHOP
13 WELLINGTON STREET N.
ST. MARYS
(519) 284-3171
VILLAGE SQUIRE/SEPTEMBER 1980 PG. 17