Introduction to Beechworth Bakery
I had received this response from Lanie Rock, Marketing Manager (on behalf of the Managing Director) at Beechworth Bakery. But, check out this phone number: 1300 BEESTING (1300 233 784)! How good is that? …and their bakery in Beechworth is on Camp Street!
While this interview relates to the bakery at Beechworth, Lanie was quick to point out that their other bakeries at “Beechworth, Yackandandah and Bright were – and still are – affected by the bushfires (not directly but indirectly through a HUGE drop in visitation)”.
INTERVIEW
- What is your name and title?
Marty Matassoni, Managing Director
- In what year did the bakery first open?
1984.
- How long have you been with the bakery?
Since I was 14 years old (I’m now 42).
- What time of the day do you start?
We start at 2am every day of the week, 364 days a year.
- Have you won any awards?
We have won the Victorian Tourism Awards 3 times, plus numerous baking awards for various products.
- Do you sell vanilla slices?
Absolutely!!! Both kinds: the pink icing Vanilla slice and the French Vanilla Slice.
- How important to you is the travelling tourist trade?
As important as our locals! Both are hugely important!
- Where is the best place for travelling visitors to park a car and caravan when they shop at your store?
Many of our side streets, which are within easy walking distance of the centre, have parallel parking without time limitations, and make ideal parking spots for caravans and motorhomes.
- What would you recommend is ‘the must do thing’ in town for a visitor?
Get the feel of the town. Yes, we have great shopping, beautiful architecture, wall to wall history, natural beauty wherever you look, a gorgeous lake close to the town centre… but it’s more than all that (even though that’s lots more than a lot of towns can claim). But once you’ve seen all that, and if you then take the time to just sit and observe, have a chat to some of the locals, and the true beauty starts to reveal itself. The locals love their town, their region & their community as much, if not more, than the most devoted visitors, and it’s palpable.
Comment from Dayv – Great stuff here. As travellers, we must remember to slow down and smell – well, the fresh bread and Vanilla Slices.
- How do you feel your shop best supports the local community?
In any way we can! We are an integral part of our local communities wherever we are. We don’t only donate food, money and resources but we actively participate in our communities. Our people are part of the local sports teams and other groups, we serve on boards and committees, and actively involve ourselves in a lot of community initiatives. We are almost always the first port of call when help is needed. Our bakeries also double as community meeting places whenever needed, from small groups to larger gatherings.
Other comments by Lanie:
Thank you for getting in touch and wonderful to hear you’d like to help our region, and in particular your offer to help promote Beechworth Bakery. Awesome!
We couldn’t agree more with you about the butcher, pub and bakery being important parts of communities, and we certainly involve ourselves as much as we can in each community within which we are located.
