Sitting down with owner Diane Simmons of Sweet Magnolia Bakery in the Market at Liberty Place of Kennett Square is like sitting down with a long-lost friend. Except in this case, we just met. Maybe it’s her easy-going, but determined manner. Or perhaps it’s her authentic smile and heartfelt laugh that set me at ease within the first few words. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s that subtle Southern drawl that seems to hug the end of every word like a warm oven hugs a cake.
As we chat at one of the Market’s dark, hand-hewn picnic tables in front of the evolving space that will soon be full of cakes, cookies, cheesecakes and customers, Diane points to a few wall locations and remains in control as the electrician makes a few adjustments and power-drill maneuvers. A small group of women conducting a book-club meeting in the public space behind us further illustrate the charm, and sense of community, that is inherent here in the Market at Liberty Place.
Diane has more than 35 years of baking experience behind her. She, her husband and their children have traveled the United States and abroad, but she speaks fondly of Charleston, South Carolina, where in her home she held nearly legendary dessert parties. Diane describes the parties as “a house full of creative confections. We had the dining room full of desserts, the den and living room full of desserts and a kitchen loaded with drinks. We had to do it in shifts to make sure everyone had fresh pastry.”
“Baking is just my thing!” squealed Diane as she continued to talk about raising the kids, traveling and her faith. She also shared that the name “Sweet Magnolia” came about in Fayetteville, NC, from one of her favorite magnolia trees that grew in the front yard.
With the Market at Liberty Place recently celebrating a successful two-year anniversary with vendors including Paradocx Vineyard, Buddy’s Burgers, Nourish Juice Bar, Chef-a-topia and Punk’d Pineapple, I asked Diane why she chose Kennett. “Geoff and Larry (co-owners of Market Place) have been so supportive every step of the way.” she touted. “The area and the Market are just the right fit for me.” Getting equipment has been a challenge, but purchasing supplies from online sources and from other bakers and kitchens in the area has made the process worthwhile. From mixers and a couple stand-up refrigerated cases to baking racks, the pieces all whip together to create function, ease of use and, most importantly, a great end product.
A self-proclaimed non-social media-savvy expert, she managed to create a homey website and, of course, a Facebook page, but she prefers her focus remains on face-to-face customer interaction. At the recent Murder Mystery Art Stroll in downtown Kennett, Diane had the opportunity to distribute some “sneak-peek” samples of her baked goodies and to meet some of the supportive folks in the area.
Diane hinted at opening the week before Labor Day weekend with cakes that include German chocolate, carrot and mango buttercream and tempting cheesecakes like peanut butter chocolate chip, Southern pecan pie and praline crusted. She promised a few novelty treats as well including her own new creation of mushroom (-shaped) cookies perfect for Kennett Square, and her easy to pick up and great-way-to-sample dessert “Shooters.” She also has a few gluten-free products up her sleeve as well.
Although Diane’s present focus is obviously to get things up and running, she looks forward to possible partnerships with the other Market vendors, restaurants, farmers’ markets and schools.
She handed me a sample goodie as we concluded our visit together. “These are new apple pie cookies I’m trying out. They’re soft like pie, but they’re cookies!” she exclaimed like a schoolgirl who just discovered a new spelling word. I ended our conversation by asking Diane if she had a personal favorite dessert. Without hesitation she smiled and said, “My mother’s coconut cake. Hands down.” Knowing that will be on her menu, I for one cannot wait for the introduction.
Sweet Magnolia Bakery is located at Market at Liberty Place, 148 State St., Kennett Square; phone: (910) 850-3449.
Top two photo credits: Ed Williams; bottom two photo credits: Sweet Magnolia Bakery
