Customers help Wooden Spoon keep afloat during pandemic

BRIGHTON - Since opening in December, The Wooden Spoon Bakery & Cafe's customers have been steadily growing, even during the coronavirus pandemic.

Owner Amber Kempf said people were good about ordering take-out and it helped her keep afloat throughout the pandemic.

'Washington, Fairfield, Wayland, Brighton, everyone was very supportive,” Kempf said.

Kempf said her Facebook is a great way of bringing people in as well as word-of-mouth.

Originally from Wellman but now living in Kalona, Kempf said she settled on the little yellow building just off Highway 1 in Brighton because it was exactly what she had been looking for. The building was previously Sweet Blessings Bakery and Cafe and was already set up for food service.

Kempf said not much has changed since opening, but now she is open in the evenings for a dinner special.

Breakfast is popular and her barbecue pork ribs are a popular dinner.

During the summer, Kempf stayed open for more hours, but as head cook for the Mid-Prairie Community School District, she is now only open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

'I'm going to do that through the end of September, so I can see how things go,” Kempf said.

Kempf added nine flavors of ice cream in July. The ice cream is made by Heyn's Ice Cream in North Liberty.

Kempf said it has gone well with the people staying out in the campgrounds.

'Not too much has changed, just been busier,” Kempf said.