New Village business to serve fresh baked goods and cider

GROSSE POINTE CITY — For anyone who likes fresh cupcakes, cider, doughnuts and bagels, a new business with all those things — and more — is coming to The Village this fall.

Bakehouse 46 will be opening in the next few weeks at 17118 Kercheval Ave. in Grosse Pointe City, as soon as renovations are completed, owner Todd Gildersleeve told the Grosse Pointe City Council during a meeting Sept. 19.

City Planner John Jackson, of McKenna Associates, said they were “making some significant changes to the façade.”

“We feel it meets (the City’s) architectural standards,” Jackson said. “All the materials are quality materials.”

He said the proposed signs and three exterior gooseneck lighting fixtures also meet the City’s standards for signs and lighting, respectively.

“We think it will be a nice addition to the businesses in The Village,” Jackson said.

Gildersleeve said he’s the former owner of the Cupcake Station, which he opened with the owners of Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill. Bakehouse 46 will incorporate elements of the cupcake business with goodies from the cider mill, including doughnuts and apple cider. Bakehouse 46 is also a joint venture with the Blake family, some of whom live in the Pointes.

“(The) 46 is kind of an homage to when they first opened the farm,” Gildersleeve said.

The Armada farm opened in 1946 and today includes tours and attractions.

The City Council voted unanimously in favor of Bakehouse 46’s site plan.

“We’re excited to have you,” said City Councilman Christopher Walsh, who was acting as mayor pro tem in the absence of Mayor Sheila Tomkowiak. “It looks awesome. I think it’s going to be a great fit for that block.”

Bakehouse 46 will also serve sandwiches and several coffee options. It’s moving into the former home of the clothing store Savvy Chic, which is now open in a different Village location down the street.

There are already other Bakehouse 46 locations in several local communities, including Birmingham, Rochester and Plymouth, and Gildersleeve said a new location will be coming soon to Ferndale.

“We’re just excited to be in the City,” Gildersleeve said.

City Councilman Terence Thomas said his wife has been to their Ann Arbor location.

“My wife is really looking forward to Bakehouse 46” coming to the Village, Thomas said.

Other officials also said they were excited about its forthcoming opening, including City Councilwoman Maureen Juip.

“It’s nice to have someone who wants to invest in our community,” City Councilman Donald Parthum Jr. said.

There will be limited seating inside Bakehouse 46, along with some seasonal outdoor seating.