PROCTORSVILLE, Vt. – Okemo Valley residents and visitors are happily cheering on another small business success story, now that Jackie’s Bakeshop has set up a brick-and-mortar shop at 2568 Vermont Route 103 in Proctorsville.
Locals know owner and baker Joel Blanchard from his booth at the Ludlow Farmers Market and the West River Farmers Market in Londonderry – both opening up for the summer season on Memorial Day weekend. Blanchard also sells his creations at the Reading Greenhouse Farmers Market and said he plans to continue bringing his sweet treats to the regional markets.
Blanchard started Jackie’s Bakeshop in 2022 as a pop-up booth and catering company, but it was his dream to open a storefront bakery one day. The bakeshop is located in the corner of the Grafton Village Cheese Company, and inside Blanchard offers counter service and stocks an assortment of his specialties. Thick, chewy cookies, fruit-filled scones, dessert bars, brownies, banana bread, and more are all baked from scratch in small batches. Blanchard’s recipes are inspired by Vermont, using fresh, quality ingredients and time-honored techniques.
If the shop doesn’t have what you’re looking for that day, or you are planning ahead, Jackie’s takes custom orders for cakes and dessert boards, perfect to celebrate a birthday or seasonal events. Blanchard offers private wedding consultations, too. Some of his most popular items are the truly gorgeous, one-of-a-kind cakes he designs.
And the list of Blanchard’s confections keeps going. Blanchard revisits traditional recipes and pulls from his own childhood, bringing a nostalgic take with a modern spin to each dessert. Customers might see apple pie snickerdoodles, handcrafted pop tarts, oatmeal cream pies, and almond croissant bars. Try a colorful, sprinkle-topped Jackie-Roo’s cookie dipper or cake pop. Blanchard’s culinary creations are fun and festive, and satisfy even the most ardent sweet tooth.
After managing a wood-fired pizza company in Connecticut for seven years, Blanchard said he reconnected with his now-husband, Shawn Blanchard, a Vermont native, and moved to the Green Mountain State to pursue his own passions.
Eventually, Blanchard has plans to expand into coffee and more pastry-style treats.
Currently, Jackie’s Bakeshop is open Thursday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Contact Blanchard at jackiesbakeshop@yahoo.com or visit the website at www.jackiesbakeshop.com.