Baked True North opens gluten-free bakery and storefront in Ross

After years of operating as a wholesale, gluten-free bakery, Baked True North has opened a brick-and-mortar location on Perry Highway in Ross.

Owner Lauren Marts said Baked True North has been supplying gluten-free pastries and baked goods to cafes and restaurants since 2016, operating out of a commercial kitchen near her home in Bellevue.

She said the goal was always to open a storefront, and after putting plans on hold for a bit during the pandemic, Baked True North opened last week in a former florist building. In its first week open, Marts said that business has seen steady customers, and has benefited from taking over a neighborhood landmark.

“Everyone seems to know it,” said Marks. “There is a wall of windows around it. It’s right at a stop light, we get lots of traffic.”

Marts said the bakery is selling pastries and sweets like cinnamon rolls, donuts, and lemon bars, which are all gluten-free. She said she is also proud of their English muffins, and are hoping to start selling breakfast sandwiches in the future. At lunchtime, the bakers bring out fresh-baked, gluten-free focaccia bread.

Baked True North is currently open Wednesday through Saturday. Marts said that part of the week, the bakery is focused on supplying wholesale goods to its clients across the region. She said the storefront hopes to expand hours once adequate staffing can be hired.

In addition to baked goods, the large space is also used as a vintage kitchenware store, with vintage cookbooks, plates, and bowls for sale.

“The whole vibe is very ‘70s,” said Marts.

The bakery also serves hot and iced coffee from locally based Commonplace Coffee, and is spacious with tables and a lot of natural light. Marts said after the former coffee shop Coffee Buddha closed down in 2020, there has been a void on Perry Highway, and she hopes Baked True North can fill in.

“We wanted to create a destination, no matter who you are and how you eat,” said Marts.

Baked True North is located at 1137 Perry Highway in Ross Township. Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.