robbie

This is my friend Robbie Werner. Her and her husband Adam (a great artist and art teacher) just opened their bakery yesterday, Stir Crazy Baked Goods. It is such a beautiful, well-lit space with eye-catching art/design, antique bistro tables topped with little succulent plants, all tucked cozily into this old, quaint, and inviting brick building in Fort Worth's Southside. The place certainly has a "European" vibe to it.

Leah and I first met Robbie and Adam over a year ago at the 2011 Spring Arts Goggle. They were set up inside Trinity Bicycles' old location (just around the corner from where the new bakery is currently--Adam had done some wall art for the bike shop). Robbie told me today that that Arts Goggle was their first "public unveiling" of their incredible, all-natural, and (often) vegan baked goods. Leah and I had arrived about ten minutes before they'd planned to head out (which we didn't realize at the time), yet they stayed and talked to us, poured us some wine, offered some mini-cupcake samples (both vegan and not). We learned about them, they learned about us. It was one of me and Leah's first great Fort Worth experiences (we were still recent transplants from Austin) and I will never forget it.

Since then, and in such a short amount of time, they have really grown their baking business exponentially; doing a lot of local weddings, custom orders, and selling at local coffee shop powerhouse, Avoca. Aside from their mad skills in the kitchen, it helps too because they are so cheerful, helpful, and just plain damned friendly. For example, after the news of our recent engagement, Robbie immediately offered, in all seriousness I think (and despite the impending opening of her shop), to throw Leah and I a wee party. We had to decline just because our schedules are so busy right now but the mere, quick mention of it was a great testament to the kind of person Robbie is. We see Robbie and Adam about relatively frequently (like at O'Brien's bike-in movie) and even with their three busy and active children, they always have such a pleasant demeanor. They are real people. I love them.

Today, I purchased some cupcakes, some of which were chocolate and made with some local Rahr Ugly Pug black lager, one of my favorite brews. Just perfect little cakes, in size and consistency--moist yet firm and packed full of flavor. Her cupcakes are like little pieces of art, really, with the delicately swirled frosting and aesthetically pleasing symmetry. Oh, and I also met Robbie's mom who was helping out in the shop and learned Robbie's brother-in-law does the technical business/website stuff. Local, family-run business are still thriving and it is a beautiful thing.

As I've said, Robbie and Adam are some of the most friendly people I have ever met, ever known. They are going to do very, very well with this bakery endeavor.
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PS: I think I might have booked a little photography gig this weekend. A couple-hour side project with a chance at some extra cash. Should be a fun way to spend a Saturday night. Details to come about that, I'm sure.