Get ready, Lancaster—a new bakery is headed your way! Goldie’s Bakery, the town’s newest neighborhood breakfast and brunch spot, is headed to the corner of King and Lime Streets, and is set to open soon.
The bakery is aiming to be a welcoming atmosphere, where friends and family can gather around for good food, coffee and conversation, as well as a place where people can swing by for breakfast and a cup of joe to go. The Goldie’s crew has been hard at work at renovations and designing the ideal cozy café for people to kick back and relax.
We got the chance to chat with Goldie’s owner, Mitchell Rae, who’s already been putting in time at some of Lancaster’s best restaurants.
PA Eats: Can you tell us a bit more about your background and culinary experience?
Mitchell Rae: I studied sculpture and agroecology at college in Vermont and moved to New York City after graduating in order to work in the arts and build a portfolio. I started cooking to supplement my income and just got absorbed into the long weeks and creativity of the kitchen. I worked for about five years in NYC kitchens, mostly at Northern Spy Food Co. and Il Buco Alimentari e Vinerio. I met Kamel Saci at the latter, where he worked as the baker. I have been consulting with Kamel and a colleague of his, Joël, to source some great French equipment and nail down my baking schedules.
Since living in Lancaster, I’ve worked as sous chef at Ma(i)son and Luca. I’ll maintain relationships with a handful of local farmers and implement as much of Lancaster County’s dairy, grains and soul into the baking as I can!
So, are you from Lancaster? Why did you choose this as your business location?
I’m originally from York, PA, but frequently saw shows at the Chameleon Club during middle and high school. I moved here in 2014.
The location is a charming, historic building that’s been unused for over a year. Previously the Golden Eagle Tavern, it had this dingy, seedy bar vibe that other potential renters probably had a hard time looking past. The owner of the building, Minh Huynh, has been encouraging and reasonable about reimbursing me in part for the renovation process. Three new windows, original hardwood floors and exposed brick walls definitely reinstate a lot of the original character to the space.
Will Goldie’s Bakery have any house specialties?
I studied abroad with Rotary International in Austria while I was in high school. I fell in love with the amazing Alpine rye breads and pastries that I ate there, and have never been able to find an equal here in the States. To that end, I’ll bake a variety of ryes, sourdoughs, baguettes and Viennoiserie like croissants, pain au chocolate, pain aux raisins and a few other sweets … nothing too frilly, just buttery goodness.
The breakfast/lunch menu will include pancakes, omelettes, french toast, homemade corned beef and sausages, but also international foods like dosa, pozole and pan dulce. It’s going to be eclectic with something for everyone.
We will serve Square One coffee, but not espresso. I also intend on having cocktail mixers for weekend brunchers who bring champagne for mimosas or nips of vodka for bloody marys and will offer the same mocktails as homemade sodas.
While there’s no opening date as of yet, stay in the know by visiting Goldie’s Facebook page.
Goldie’s Bakery will be located at 170 E. King St. in Lancaster.
- Photos: Courtesy of Goldie's Bakery
