Former prosecutor takes over Great Lakes Baking Company

by John Benson

During Corina Gaffney’s search to open a business as an artisanal baker, the Akron native and Portage Lakes resident kept coming across the Great Lakes Baking Company. However, the timing wasn’t right.

“I started looking probably 4½ years ago for the right location,” Gaffney said. “Once I got to know owner John MacMillan, it just seemed like the right opportunity at the right time in the right place.

“The kinds of breads that he’s been making, the kind of equipment that he had was what I was looking to have in my own bakery.”

What started as a conversation last October led to Gaffney buying the business at 85 South Main St. She took over the operation in June from the retiring MacMillan.

The notion of becoming an artisanal baker came later in life to Gaffney, a lawyer whose last position was as an assistant Summit County prosecutor.

“I’ve had a nearly lifelong interest in baking of all kinds,” Gaffney said. “Roughly 20 years ago, I started to get more interested in making my own bread and improving my family’s health.

“I got more and more into sourdoughs, naturally leavened breads and fresh-milled wheat, but my family can only eat so much bread. That’s when I started thinking seriously about opening my own bakery.”

Gaffney’s interest in artisanal breads mirrored society’s awareness of commercial bread additives and processes, not to mention the gluten-free movement.

“They want to know where their food comes from,” said Gaffney, who plans on moving to Hudson. “That’s why it’s important not just for meats, cheeses, dairy, but also for bread, which is the staff of life. Arguably, it’s one of the most important parts of most people’s diets.”

So far Gaffney said customers have been supportive of her ownership of Great Lakes Baking Company, which in addition to selling various types of bread offers muffins, scones and cookies.

Gaffney said she may tweak things here and there with nutrition in mind, such as possibly going to all organic flours. Also, the Great Lakes Baking Company may add new offerings that cater to the new owner’s German heritage.

“I want to expand people’s horizons,” Gaffney said. “Not just in breads, but also in pastries. It won’t be just German. I’m doing a lot of French and Italian and things like that. I just want to bring an even broader taste of Europe to the bakery.”

 

Photo caption: Corina Gaffney plans to broaden the bread and pastry offerings of Great Lakes Baking Company, which she bought from longtime owner John MacMillan this summer. Photo by courtesy of Corina Gaffney