No blarney at Mooney’s Bakery: just doughnuts, cream puffs and numerous other delectable treats

By ELLEN KOLMAN - Staff Writer - ekolman@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

February 16, 2009 10:58 pm

— CONNEAUT — Early in the morning, the shelves are bursting with fresh baked goods, but by noon, they resemble Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard.
That is the way it has been since the Mooney family opened their bakery at 231 Broad St. in November 1990.
Tom Mooney, who died in May, opened Mooney’s Bakery in Albion, Pa., in 1983. For economic reasons, Tom decided to move his bakery business to Conneaut in 1990.
“I remember it was the day before Thanksgiving, and we were very thankful to get our shop open that day,” said Marcella Mooney, owner of the bakery.
Today, Marcella along with her son, Mike Mooney, and her daughter, Julie Mooney, continue the family tradition of baking temptingly fresh doughnuts, cakes and pastries and providing personal customer service.
“I really want to thank everyone for their support since my husband became ill, especially Marian Cheney, our sales clerk, who kept things running for me so I could spend time with my husband while he was in the hospital. Marian is wonderful,” Marcella said.
Mike Mooney, who is the chief baker and general manager, remembers his first experience with helping his dad bake, when he was 5 years old.
“Dad stood me up on a bucket, and I would tie knot rolls. It was fun and the perfect excuse to stay up late because I was helping Dad,” Mike said.
Over the years, Mike learned the baking trade from working with his father and discovered he really enjoyed it, especially baking the breads.
“I love making nisua (Finnish bread) and wish we sold more of it. We usually sell it at Christmas and Easter time. It is a more expensive bread to make and is labor-intensive,” Mike said.
Tom Mooney made his bakery famous with his doughnuts and the cream filling recipe he created himself. Luckily, his son Mike inherited his Dad’s talent and is continuing the tasty tradition.
“A Dutch baker from Albion taught Tom how to make doughnuts, but the cream filling was his own recipe,” Marcella said.
Mooney’s is a full-service bakery and does it all, except for making tiered wedding cakes.
Sweet treats include doughnuts of all sorts, including strawberry and cream, which the locals say are one of a kind; cakes, cookies, apple fritters, turnovers, brownies, muffins, sweet rolls, cream puffs, lady locks, French snuggles, coffee cakes, walnut rings, pies, apple strudel, cupcakes and much more.
There is also a fresh pot of coffee and a number of other beverages to go with the baked goods.
“With a home bakery, our customers can get made-to-order items, and our regulars know that we know what they like,” Marcella said with a smile.
Customers can look forward to shamrock-shaped cookies and doughnuts through March in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.
For further information, call Mooney’s Bakery (440-593-6747).

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