Though running a retail business in addition to a mail order business eats up all of her time, she welcomes the diversity of the two businesses. “It’s great to have the ability to make something other than macaroons!” she jokes. One of the most popular offerings of the macaroon business is wedding favors, berry, and chocolate cherry, in bags with personalized labels. These tasty morsels were featured in the recent issue of In Style magazine.
As Gesine describes her day — arriving at the shop at 4:30 a.m. to bake and working until 7:00 p.m. seven days a week — I can’t help but wince, but she insists, “I don’t mind the hours!” It is apparent that she and Ray really enjoy the business, but still they are hopeful for some down time - eventually. She points out the shop’s front window to a Subaru wagon with a bright red kayak on top. “It’s there as a reminder of what we will do in our ‘free’ time. We look at it and say, ‘Any minute now!’”
She chuckles as she rises to return to the kitchen and a host of magnificent baked goods waiting to be created. In closing I thank her for the wonderful products she creates with the assistance of two other bakers. Modestly she dismisses the compliment with a wave of her hand, “There isn’t anything that hasn’t been done before! It’s just variations of the same thing. It’s all just sugar, butter, eggs, flour.” I might add, it could be said that a painting is just oils, canvas and a horsehair brush, but in the hands of Matisse…
Gesine’s Confectionary, 279 Elm Street, Montpelier, Vermont. Shop hours are 7:00-5:00, Wednesday through Friday, 8:00-4:00 Saturday and 9:00-4:00 Sunday. 802-224-9930.
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