The Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop at 542 Gibbons Road has been a long-time supporter of the Fire Company. Present owners, Calvin and Janell Groff, continue that tradition by donating all of the dinner rolls for the chicken barbecues on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends and the annual pot pie dinner in February. They also donate the ingredients, such as eggs, milk, and flour, for the pot pie dough.
The Groffs are relatively new to the Bird-in-Hand community, having moved here from Farmersville. They purchased the Bake Shop from Erwin “Butch” and Linda Miller on May 1, 2017.
Calvin had worked at the Bake Shop for three years before taking over, Janell had managed the snack stand at the Farmersville Auction, and together they had organized food for various nonprofit fundraisers. Janell works as co-manager along with another employee, and Calvin bakes the yeast breads and rolls before making the morning deliveries.
Butch Miller’s parents, Erwin and Annie Miller, started the Bake Shop in 1972 and later his sister and her husband, Liz and Jake Blank, owned the business. In 1996 Butch and Linda bought the family business and ran it for the next 21 years.
During that time Butch was a member of the Fire Company. In fact, he had earlier served as chief in 1979-1981, so there was a natural connection. In the early years of the pot pie dinner, the dough was made in the Bake Shop facility on the Thursday before the meal. When Butch installed new equipment, he donated his used dough sheeter to the Fire Company so the dough could be rolled out fresh the morning of the pot pie dinner.
Calvin and Janell are glad to carry on the Bake Shop’s tradition of generosity to the Fire Company, as well as giving discounts to a list of churches and other nonprofits. Continuing the strong relationship between their business and the Fire Company is a priority. Janell comments, “We know the Fire Company will give back whenever we need them. This is such a warm, close community where neighbors reach out to each other. Everyone is looking out for everyone else.”
The Bird-in-Hand Fire Company is pleased to welcome the Groff family to our community and is grateful for their generous support. The attendees at our fundraiser meals, both those who eat in and those who pick up take-out, look forward to the tasty rolls included in the dinners!