A Piece of Cake, the baking supply shop in Thame, was today handed over to its new owner, by Norma Laver and Jenny Walker who are retiring from the business after 34 years.
It was with mixed feelings that Norma and Jenny handed over the keys to the new proprietor, Pauline Carr. Many of the staff have been with Norma and Jenny for many years, including a young lady who wrote to them when she was only 13 years-old asking for a job; she’s now a grown and up working as cabin crew. She gave up her sleep today after working yesterday to share Norma and Jenny’s special day.
Flowers and cards were arriving at the shop all afternoon – and there was a rumour that a very special cake was on its way. A Piece of Cake is Pauline’s first business though she has lectured in Business Studies and says that she is very excited about starting her very own hands-on business.
Norma and Jenny’s baking supply shop attracts customers from all over the world ordering through the website, and many venture in person to the UK especially to take part in A Piece of Cake’s legendary Sugarpaste workshops which they regularly run in Thame.
Pauline will have the support of all the staff who will be keeping their jobs, and Norma and Jenny will be on hand to help her with advise while she gets to know the business, which will eventually move to the other end of the High Street, where the Bell Kitchen Showroom was until recently.
A Piece of Cake has been a very successful business with Norma and Jenny at the helm, keeping going through thick and thick, including during Norma’s illness nine years ago when she became very seriously ill with meningitis. Now, they will be taking a very well deserved rest. Norma hopes to start ticking off challenges on her ‘bucket list’ including learning to swim, and Jenny will be able to work more sociable hours working with her daughter in their cake-making business, Little Flower Cakes.
Both of them admit to having mixed feelings about handing on the business: “We will be leaving the business in the very capable hands of its new owner Pauline Carr expertly assisted by our knowledgeable staff. The business will continue as before but Pauline will be bringing new life and new ideas to it. We wish her every success and hope all our faithful customers continue to support her. We will be on hand to help with the change over and be on call should any help be needed.
“Thank you to all our customer over the last 34 years. We have made many friends and will miss you all but we are now looking forward to spending more precious time with our families.”
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