Marilyn's Bakery: A Family Tradition

The framed certificate on the wall of Marilyn's Bakery in Hobart, Indiana reads, in part, "for remarkable achievement". It's humbly hung in a not so prominent corner of the quaint bakery's tiny cafe. When I ask Barbara Tracy about the award, she shyly tells me that it was given to the bakery for being named the Best Small Business by the Hobart Chamber of Commerce for 2007. I get the same response when I ask about the bakery's award for Best Pie Shop East of the Mississippi from the Sustainable Table . It's apparent that she and Marilyn, who is sitting next to her at the table are proud of their many awards but they are not ones to dwell on past accolades. They want to talk about their thriving business and they especially want to tell me about the family that made, and makes, it all possible.

Marilyn (Johnson) Pearson opened the bakery in 1986 in a small workspace on the grounds of Johnson Produce. Marilyn, who told me that she just "loves to roll pie dough", honed her baking skills under the watchful eye of her Aunt Carol Brenn. The then working Mom inherited her Aunt Carol's baking equipment and, diligently balancing her family and business obligations, created a successful business which now annually produces over 45,000 homemade pies. In addition to pies, the bakery offers freshly baked breads, cookies, cheesecakes, muffins, cinnamon rolls, scones, and carry-out, homemade meals such as pot pies, quiches, and soups. Cakes, including wedding cakes, are also available as are sugar-free pies. You can purchase all these goodies in the tiny bake shop in Hobart. A variety of baked goods are also available for sale at several local farmers' markets where, for the ultimate in convenience, farmers' market customers can call ahead to the bakery and place a custom order that will be waiting for them at the market.

But Marilyn, Barbara, and their bakery staff's talents are not limited to sweet treats and carry-out items. Marilyn's Bakery serves lunch  and also offers a very popular, five course, vegetarian Dinner on the Terrace where you can dine in the beautiful atmosphere of the Johnson Farm (check the bakery's site for dates and times) as you enjoy a meal made with fresh, seasonal produce from the property's gardens and fields.

Marilyn's daughter, Barbara, began working with her Mom in the bakery when she was 12 and now runs most of the operation with her husband, Robert Eustace. And if history runs true to its course, Marilyn's grandson, Tracy, who recently taught a pie dough making class at his elementary school, seems destined to take over the business. But for now he is happy to work along side his Mom and Grandma in their home kitchens developing both the skills and family work ethic that have lead these women and their bakery's team to much deserved success.

Marilyn's Bakery
8960 East Ridge Road
Hobart, IN 46342
Phone: 219-962-BAKE
www.marilynsbakery.com

Photo 1:Seated left to right: Grandma Johnson (Marilyn's mother, Barb's grandmother) with Tracy Eustace (Barb and Robert's son) sitting on her lap.  Standing left to right: Bill Pearson (Marilyn's husband) and Marilyn Pearson. Sitting in front with the pie is Barbara Tracy and sitting behind her is Robert Eustace (Barb's husband)

Photo 2: The Bakery

Want to make Marilyn's Very Berry Pie which won the 2007 Best Pie East of the Mississippi Award during the 2007 Sustainable Table’s Eat Well Guided Tour of America in 2007? While many pastry chefs might want to keep such a great pie a “trade secret”, Marilyn is all about sharing the pie love. You'll find her prize winning recipe in the Summer Recipes section of this site. Marilyn reminds everyone to use fresh, Indiana, in-season berries for the best filling. So, you'll have to wait until berry season is in full swing this coming summer before you can make the tasty dessert. Having enjoyed a slice of that pie during my visit to Marilyn's Bakery, I can assure you that it will be worth the wait!