Its
a long way from Glasgow, Scotland, to Moab, Utah, but thats
the route Howard Trenholme took to start Red Rock Bakery
in 1997. It wasnt exactly a straight line from Scotland
to Utah. Howard made a stop in Aspen where he worked in
a bakery before teaming up with a friend who had a dream
of opening her own bakery. Since Aspen is only a hop, skip,
and a jump from Moab, the two made frequent trips here and
decided Moab was the place to make their dreams come true.
The
first from scratch bakery opened in the old
Taco Bender building, now Banditos, located on North Main
Street. In that location only briefly, the bakery moved
to a tiny little building, now Hair Safari, on 100 South.
Locals soon discovered the bakerys famous scones and
cinnamon rolls and began making stops daily for a cup of
java and some pastries. It was also in this tiny little
shop that Howard began perfecting his baking skills. Good
thing as he and his partner decided to part ways and Howard
took on the business by himself.
Howard
didnt skip a beat. He kept baking and kept dreaming
and in 1998 made the big leap from a Moab side street to
Main Street. When Subway vacated its prime location, Howard
jumped at the chance to move into the spot and grow his
business. And grow, it did. He started with only baked goods,
coffee, and an occasional sandwich but soon added an espresso
machine and a full line of sandwiches, soups, and baked
goods. After only a couple of years, the Red Rock Bakery
became a favorite hang out for both locals and visitors.
People enjoy the warm, community atmosphere Howard has cultivated.
They also appreciate the art that decorates the walls and
spontaneous live music that pops up from time to time. Other
folks stop in to use the internet café which offers
time on the world wide web and to check email at a reasonable
price.
Folks
dont have to stop at the busy Main Street location,
although they will miss out on a lot of fun if they dont.
Howard has fully developed Red Rock Bakerys wholesale
business and his baked goods can be found at Daves
Corner Market, Eklecticafe, and Mondo. Boxed lunches for
coach tours or family picnics, are also available. Be assured
that a boxed lunch from the Red Rock surpasses anything
you could make in your own kitchen. Howard uses his fresh,
home baked breads including his famous multi-grain and sourdough.
His bagels, which have been proclaimed as the best in Utah
by bagel aficionados all over the state, are rolled by hand
and boiled. And Howard purchases only fair trade coffee
in order to ensure farmers a living wage from their product.
Howards
political leanings are helping Moab businesses, too. He
is a member of the local economic development committee
and a strong supporter of independent business owners. Additionally,
he teaches Hospitality Management at CEU.
Whether
you stop in to see the art, listen to the music, enjoy a
latte, or chow down on a great sandwich or some baked goods,
you are guaranteed a wonderful experience in one of Moabs
little independently owned gems. Howards goal was
to have people walk into a place theyll never forget.
He wants everyone to remember Red Rock Bakery when they
return home, wherever home is. By all accounts, hes
met his goal.
©
2001 Moab Happenings. All rights reserved. Reproduction
of information contained in this site is expressly prohibited.