Mount Shasta Pastry opens
L to R: Mark Clure, Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce board member, Michael Murray, Mt. Shasta Mayor Pro-tem, Barbara Schmidt, Karen Niles, Lauren Blackford, Laurie Blackford, owners Jessica and Steve Hector, Vicky Zanni, chamber representative.
For Steve and Jessica Hector, their move to Mt. Shasta five years ago seemed like the ideal situation. Jessica was able to continue her career with the Postal Service, and Steve was successfully expanding a territory of organic foods across the North State. Then in 2008 Steve was laid off, becoming another casualty of the great recession. Throughout the winter Steve expanded his job search in an increasingly failing economy. “Fortunately, we were always frugal and saved for that rainy day, which was now upon us”. Steve began using his time re-reading his books from culinary school, called upon his 25 years of chef experience and began baking for his friends and family. The response was positive.
Thus the seeds of “Mount Shasta Pastry” were sown. “In essence, I am buying myself a job” says Steve. “I found this vacant building in tremendous disrepair, but to me it looked like it had potential for a small bakery café. Jessica and I did our research, and decided to make a go of it”.
“The goal is to provide the community with an alternative to the poor quality preservative and additive-laced Costco-type product for high quality baked goods that are delicious.”
Mount Shasta Pastry makes all of their products fresh daily, on site, with all natural ingredients and contain no preservatives or additives. There is a variety of scones, croissants, turnovers and much more. Light lunches offer gourmet pizza, focaccia and croissant sandwiches, fresh salads and hearty soup made daily by Steve. Located 610 S. Mt. Shasta Blvd., open Monday thru Saturday 6:00 am to 2:30 pm.
