La Grange - Grounded and Baked, a local bakery in La Grange, is preparing to celebrate its one-year anniversary on August 4. Owners Brad Mitchell and Jennifer Bland have been working to establish their unique bakery, offering homemade treats based on family recipes.

Mitchell and Bland opened the bakery with the intention of sharing traditional baked goods with the community. "Initially, the bakery started with this kind of idea of we'll just kind of see how it goes," said Mitchell. "Put Grandma's treats out there the way she taught me how to bake." Bland, who joined the business in January, added, "The doughnuts that I wanted to have made were the ones that I grew up on in South Hill, VA."

The bakery is located on Railroad Street, a bit off the main thoroughfare, which has posed a challenge in attracting customers. However, Mitchell is optimistic about increasing awareness. "La Grange has never had a bakery, ever. We want to get people to understand that we're here, that we're a bakery that we have amazing baked goods... fresh every single day that we're open," he emphasized.

Grounded and Baked offers a variety of homemade treats, with a particular focus on doughnuts. The owners pride themselves on using recipes and techniques passed down from Mitchell's grandmother, ensuring that all items are made from scratch. "Everything's made from scratch, so we don't have anything that's processed and brought in or bought or frozen," Bland stated.

In addition to serving the local community, Grounded and Baked also participates in the Goldsboro Farmers Market and offers delivery services to surrounding areas, including Mount Olive, Greenville, and Kinston. The bakery's hours are Tuesday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Reflecting on the first year, Mitchell expressed gratitude and a vision for the bakery's future. "I think the biggest thing would be to give us a shot. Once you try our delicious treats, I think it really changes things," he said. The couple aims to create a sense of home and nostalgia for their customers through their baked goods, reminiscent of family gatherings and cherished memories.

For more information or to place an order, customers can visit the bakery's website, groundedandbaked.com, or follow their Facebook page for daily updates and special items.

Grounded and Baked continues to grow and contribute to the local community, offering a taste of tradition and homemade goodness in every bite.