Help Marty Save Her Dream, Herman's Bakery
Donation protected
Marty Thorp is owner of Herman’s Bakery, Cambridge, Minnesota.
Go Fund Me Goal:
$90,000 – COVID-19 pandemic related debt and subsequent revenue shortfall
($20,000 by October 30, 2020)
Share this!
If you share this with 10 friends who share with 10… then Herman’s Bakery will be able to keep the lights on and continue to be a cornerstone in the Cambridge community - working together we can reach the goal of $20,000 by October 30th. And, soon after that the total goal of $90,000 can be reached as well. It takes just $10, $30, or even $100 – forgoing a trip or three through the drive through -- and we can easily help Marty save her dream.
Marty’s Story
Hidden behind the clean windows seen from the sidewalk and street is a business that has been seriously injured by the COVID-19 pandemic… accompanying fears, mandated shutdowns, and social distancing.
I am Susan Christensen, a former Isanti County resident who now lives in Ramsey, an outer suburban town of Minneapolis. About a year ago I met Marty, the owner of Herman’s Bakery. Having been in the bakery only a few times previously, this day when she walked by my table I reached out and asked if she was the owner. We introduced ourselves and my question led to a remarkable and most memorable conversation. I simply wanted to know how it was that this charming gray haired woman who sat before me had come to own Herman’s Bakery. As she told me her story I came to deeply appreciate and respect her.
When her kids were young Marty operated a daycare out of her home… always busy, always enjoying people and family. When the daycare season ended Marty became manager of events and catering at an event center in suburban Minneapolis. Eventually Marty and her husband, Terry, like so many, decided to downsize. They sold their home and moved from the metro to Cambridge, MN. It wasn’t long before Marty discovered she missed interacting and working with people.
Marty’s Dream
In 2006, at the age of 58, Marty began working the counter at Herman’s Bakery in Cambridge. At the employee appreciation dinner held later that year Marty’s husband, Terry, met Herman, the owner of Herman’s Bakery, and there, in that very first encounter, Terry said to Herman, “If you ever decide to sell, let me know. My wife has fallen in love with this stupid bakery.”
For the next ten years whenever an appropriate opportunity presented itself Marty faithfully and enthusiastically reminded the owners, Herman and his wife, Lois, about her desire to purchase the bakery. “Don’t forget.... Don’t forget me…. Remember me when you decide to sell.” Marty never stopped dreaming and hoping for the day when she would own Herman’s Bakery.
On January 5th of 2016 Marty’s Terry died unexpectedly. It was a grievous loss. She continued working at the bakery. Then, in June of 2017 Marty learned that Herman and Lois had sold the bakery. Marty of course was devastated. She had not even known that the bakery was for sale. Herman and Lois on the other hand knew that Marty was still grieving and felt certain that Marty would not be interested in buying the business now that Terry was gone. “You knew I wanted to buy it. Why didn’t you let me know?” “We didn’t think you’d want to buy it after Terry died.” It was a bitterly painful time for Marty.
Marty, however, has an indomitable spirit. The first day that she saw Ayman, the new owner of Herman’s Bakery, Marty walked up to him with arm extended to shake hands and said, “Hi. I’m Marty. It’s nice to meet you. I want you to know that this was supposed to be my bakery.” From that day on, just as she had done with Herman and Lois, Marty took advantage of every appropriate opportunity to remind Ayman of her dream. “It was supposed to be my bakery you know…. Don’t forget.... I am ready for this to be my bakery anytime you’re ready to sell… Just remember…. Remember me!” Marty told me, “I don’t think a day went by that I didn’t say to Ayman, ‘Don’t forget. This is supposed to be my bakery.’”
It’s really not surprising that the day she hoped for would eventually arrive. Ayman informed Marty one day that he was ready to sell and she could buy the bakery. “I got to you finally,” she said. He smiled and nodded.
Marty’s Dream Comes True
Marty immediately contacted her kids and requested they come to her home at a specified time and day--support from her kids would be essential to move forward. “Ok Mom, what’s up?” But, before she could speak, “Oh, my gosh! She’s going to buy the bakery!” Hardly any discussion was needed before they gave Marty their wholehearted support, “Mom, go for it.”
In June of 2019, at the age of 71, Marty finally became the owner of Herman’s Bakery.
When she told me the story of how she had come to be its owner, Marty had been owner of Herman’s Bakery for about 4 or 5 months. Business was good. There were no surprises with revenue. Needed repairs and deferred maintenance were being fixed. The future looked to be bright. Revenue was on track for debt reduction and equipment reinvestment.
BOOM!! Then came COVID-19.
Overnight, like all food service businesses affected by the shutdowns and COVID-19 concerns, Marty’s revenue plummeted to nearly nothing. Deemed an essential business, Marty kept the bakery open adjusting hours to mornings only. Even after the café could reopen, spacing for social distancing removed half her tables and revenue showed little increase. The cost of each unsold bakery item -- no longer a small loss. The bakery’s average daily revenue had dropped 80% of what it was prior to COVID-19. As every small business owner knows, such an immense unexpected drop in revenue does not cover fixed operating expenses, lease, and other financial obligations. Additional business loans have been necessary during this time simply to sustain operations.
Let’s Help Marty
Just like many of us, Marty would never think to ask others for help. Yet, help is what is needed to round the corner to better times. The goal of this “Go Fund Me” campaign is to simply rally friends, family, and community to help Marty save her business, Herman’s Bakery, so the doors remain open to this long standing business that has been vital to the hearts of many and a thriving signature business to the Cambridge Community for decades.
My grandchildren and I have become regulars at Herman’s Bakery. We are loyal customers—two times a week, sometimes three, each time I am in the Cambridge area. If you met Marty you’d be a loyal customer too. Marty is pleased that preservatives and trans fats are not used in their products, and that everything they serve at the bakery is entirely made from scratch—breads, baked goods, and desserts, as well as their healthy brunch and lunch items like soups, chili, Sloppy Joes, sandwiches, deviled eggs (best ever!), salads… everything!
How you can help:
* Pick up your morning coffee, lunch, even treats for the office. Easy and on your way to work—call ahead to order exactly what you need.
* Become a loyal customer, if you’re not already. Make the short drive over to support this locally owned small business.
* Use Herman’s Bakery for your upcoming events: birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, reunions… custom cakes, desserts, catered foods, etc.
* Turn to Herman’s Bakery to bring added ‘homemade’ pleasures to your holidays, especially the festive ones like Christmas and Thanksgiving, with seasonal pies, and tasty delightfully decorated cookies that will dazzle your guests. (No one will ever know that you or Grandma didn’t bake it.)
* Are you a business owner? Cookie boxes make great gifts for employees and vendors. Celebratory cakes, boxed lunches, as well as donut and pastry boxes make events and meetings easy!
And of course:
Everyone can join this ‘Go Fund Me’ campaign!
Help ‘Save Marty’s Dream and Keep the Doors Open’.
Inspired by Marty’s tenacity to become owner of Herman's Bakery, undaunted by her age, has brought many people into Herman’s Bakery wanting Marty to know that she has inspired them…. They are active again, working on projects they had loved but turned from. They’ve resumed knitting or sewing groups and become more courageous to reach for dreams. Some are volunteering. And why not? Marty’s story is inspirational. Marty had a dream. Her age was not a limitation. She had courage. She persevered.
Help save Marty’s dream...and don’t forget your own!
Many of us have dreams, dreams we have shelved…dared not ponder…dared not reach for. Seriously consider with one hand helping Marty by donating some money to this campaign, and with the other hand start reaching for the dream you have inside your own heart.
Go Fund Me Goal:
$90,000 – COVID-19 pandemic related debt and subsequent revenue shortfall
($20,000 by October 30, 2020)
Share this!
If you share this with 10 friends who share with 10… then Herman’s Bakery will be able to keep the lights on and continue to be a cornerstone in the Cambridge community - working together we can reach the goal of $20,000 by October 30th. And, soon after that the total goal of $90,000 can be reached as well. It takes just $10, $30, or even $100 – forgoing a trip or three through the drive through -- and we can easily help Marty save her dream.
Marty’s Story
Hidden behind the clean windows seen from the sidewalk and street is a business that has been seriously injured by the COVID-19 pandemic… accompanying fears, mandated shutdowns, and social distancing.
I am Susan Christensen, a former Isanti County resident who now lives in Ramsey, an outer suburban town of Minneapolis. About a year ago I met Marty, the owner of Herman’s Bakery. Having been in the bakery only a few times previously, this day when she walked by my table I reached out and asked if she was the owner. We introduced ourselves and my question led to a remarkable and most memorable conversation. I simply wanted to know how it was that this charming gray haired woman who sat before me had come to own Herman’s Bakery. As she told me her story I came to deeply appreciate and respect her.
When her kids were young Marty operated a daycare out of her home… always busy, always enjoying people and family. When the daycare season ended Marty became manager of events and catering at an event center in suburban Minneapolis. Eventually Marty and her husband, Terry, like so many, decided to downsize. They sold their home and moved from the metro to Cambridge, MN. It wasn’t long before Marty discovered she missed interacting and working with people.
Marty’s Dream
In 2006, at the age of 58, Marty began working the counter at Herman’s Bakery in Cambridge. At the employee appreciation dinner held later that year Marty’s husband, Terry, met Herman, the owner of Herman’s Bakery, and there, in that very first encounter, Terry said to Herman, “If you ever decide to sell, let me know. My wife has fallen in love with this stupid bakery.”
For the next ten years whenever an appropriate opportunity presented itself Marty faithfully and enthusiastically reminded the owners, Herman and his wife, Lois, about her desire to purchase the bakery. “Don’t forget.... Don’t forget me…. Remember me when you decide to sell.” Marty never stopped dreaming and hoping for the day when she would own Herman’s Bakery.
On January 5th of 2016 Marty’s Terry died unexpectedly. It was a grievous loss. She continued working at the bakery. Then, in June of 2017 Marty learned that Herman and Lois had sold the bakery. Marty of course was devastated. She had not even known that the bakery was for sale. Herman and Lois on the other hand knew that Marty was still grieving and felt certain that Marty would not be interested in buying the business now that Terry was gone. “You knew I wanted to buy it. Why didn’t you let me know?” “We didn’t think you’d want to buy it after Terry died.” It was a bitterly painful time for Marty.
Marty, however, has an indomitable spirit. The first day that she saw Ayman, the new owner of Herman’s Bakery, Marty walked up to him with arm extended to shake hands and said, “Hi. I’m Marty. It’s nice to meet you. I want you to know that this was supposed to be my bakery.” From that day on, just as she had done with Herman and Lois, Marty took advantage of every appropriate opportunity to remind Ayman of her dream. “It was supposed to be my bakery you know…. Don’t forget.... I am ready for this to be my bakery anytime you’re ready to sell… Just remember…. Remember me!” Marty told me, “I don’t think a day went by that I didn’t say to Ayman, ‘Don’t forget. This is supposed to be my bakery.’”
It’s really not surprising that the day she hoped for would eventually arrive. Ayman informed Marty one day that he was ready to sell and she could buy the bakery. “I got to you finally,” she said. He smiled and nodded.
Marty’s Dream Comes True
Marty immediately contacted her kids and requested they come to her home at a specified time and day--support from her kids would be essential to move forward. “Ok Mom, what’s up?” But, before she could speak, “Oh, my gosh! She’s going to buy the bakery!” Hardly any discussion was needed before they gave Marty their wholehearted support, “Mom, go for it.”
In June of 2019, at the age of 71, Marty finally became the owner of Herman’s Bakery.
When she told me the story of how she had come to be its owner, Marty had been owner of Herman’s Bakery for about 4 or 5 months. Business was good. There were no surprises with revenue. Needed repairs and deferred maintenance were being fixed. The future looked to be bright. Revenue was on track for debt reduction and equipment reinvestment.
BOOM!! Then came COVID-19.
Overnight, like all food service businesses affected by the shutdowns and COVID-19 concerns, Marty’s revenue plummeted to nearly nothing. Deemed an essential business, Marty kept the bakery open adjusting hours to mornings only. Even after the café could reopen, spacing for social distancing removed half her tables and revenue showed little increase. The cost of each unsold bakery item -- no longer a small loss. The bakery’s average daily revenue had dropped 80% of what it was prior to COVID-19. As every small business owner knows, such an immense unexpected drop in revenue does not cover fixed operating expenses, lease, and other financial obligations. Additional business loans have been necessary during this time simply to sustain operations.
Let’s Help Marty
Just like many of us, Marty would never think to ask others for help. Yet, help is what is needed to round the corner to better times. The goal of this “Go Fund Me” campaign is to simply rally friends, family, and community to help Marty save her business, Herman’s Bakery, so the doors remain open to this long standing business that has been vital to the hearts of many and a thriving signature business to the Cambridge Community for decades.
My grandchildren and I have become regulars at Herman’s Bakery. We are loyal customers—two times a week, sometimes three, each time I am in the Cambridge area. If you met Marty you’d be a loyal customer too. Marty is pleased that preservatives and trans fats are not used in their products, and that everything they serve at the bakery is entirely made from scratch—breads, baked goods, and desserts, as well as their healthy brunch and lunch items like soups, chili, Sloppy Joes, sandwiches, deviled eggs (best ever!), salads… everything!
How you can help:
* Pick up your morning coffee, lunch, even treats for the office. Easy and on your way to work—call ahead to order exactly what you need.
* Become a loyal customer, if you’re not already. Make the short drive over to support this locally owned small business.
* Use Herman’s Bakery for your upcoming events: birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, reunions… custom cakes, desserts, catered foods, etc.
* Turn to Herman’s Bakery to bring added ‘homemade’ pleasures to your holidays, especially the festive ones like Christmas and Thanksgiving, with seasonal pies, and tasty delightfully decorated cookies that will dazzle your guests. (No one will ever know that you or Grandma didn’t bake it.)
* Are you a business owner? Cookie boxes make great gifts for employees and vendors. Celebratory cakes, boxed lunches, as well as donut and pastry boxes make events and meetings easy!
And of course:
Everyone can join this ‘Go Fund Me’ campaign!
Help ‘Save Marty’s Dream and Keep the Doors Open’.
Inspired by Marty’s tenacity to become owner of Herman's Bakery, undaunted by her age, has brought many people into Herman’s Bakery wanting Marty to know that she has inspired them…. They are active again, working on projects they had loved but turned from. They’ve resumed knitting or sewing groups and become more courageous to reach for dreams. Some are volunteering. And why not? Marty’s story is inspirational. Marty had a dream. Her age was not a limitation. She had courage. She persevered.
Help save Marty’s dream...and don’t forget your own!
Many of us have dreams, dreams we have shelved…dared not ponder…dared not reach for. Seriously consider with one hand helping Marty by donating some money to this campaign, and with the other hand start reaching for the dream you have inside your own heart.
Organizer and beneficiary
Susan Christensen
Organizer
Cambridge, MN
Marty Thorp
Beneficiary