Elaine’s Bakery celebrates expansion with open house on National Donut Day
MILO — On Friday, June 3 Elaine’s Bakery of Milo will hold an open house from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to celebrate a larger space and the nation’s sweetest holiday National Donut Day. Elaine’s Bakery is not simply known because the finger-licking products can be found in 30 locations across Maine, including convenience stores, cafes and markets, but because of owner Elaine Poulin. Most would say of Poulin, “to know her is to love her”.
The bakery shop’s official name is Elaine’s Basket Caf√© & Bakery because in addition to offering breakfast, baked goods and catering services, Poulin hand-weaves baskets of all shapes, sizes and colors and sells them from the shop which has been in business for nine years. Poulin worked in state government for 30 years before leaving to accomplish her dream to do exactly what she is doing now. After spending just a little bit of time with her, most can discern Poulin’s two greatest passions: baking, and people.
“What I do every day is so rewarding,” she said. “I get to do what I love most while interacting with people, sharing stories and building relationships. I have the ability to make people smile; I don’t even consider it work because I’m having so much fun!”
Though Poulin was born and raised in New Canada, a small town outside of Fort Kent she loves the community of Milo and considers it her home. What most folks might not know about her is that she possesses an enormous, benevolent heart. She uses her business as a means to give young women who have had a troubled past an opportunity to start over; she provides them with work, mentors them and trains them in business. Though the bakery has a constant flow of customers and her wholesale and catering businesses are booming, Poulin somehow manages to remember what is important and she remains grounded and committed to using her talents to make an impact in the lives of others. This is precisely what makes her such a treasure to those who know her.
Recently, Poulin’s little shop expanded into the adjoining space of the building she rents, which will give her morning crowd more room to enjoy their breakfast and more space for conversation. Poulin hopes to use the new space for private gatherings, and, in the future, live music events and open mic nights. The kitchen was also expanded, which was desperately needed as her business continues to grow. Eventually, Poulin hopes to package and ship her donuts and pastries around the world.