HUMBOLDT — Between the COVID-19 pandemic, running a business and adopting a child, Stacy Mueller felt herself stretched pretty thin over the past couple of years.
Something had to give.
So Stacy closed her downtown storefront for her bakery and catering business, Stacy Cakes.
She and her husband, Mark, sold the building, bought a fixer-upper house, set a cabin on the property and moved the business there in August.
Her business model also has changed. Everything she sells today is pre-ordered or is catered.
The change has allowed her to cut down on overhead and waste.
But most importantly, she now has more time for her family.
“Life changes,” she said. “We just roll with it.”
THE MUELLERS moved to Humboldt in August 2009 to be closer to family.
They had been living in Georgia, where Stacy worked in bakery management.
She started working as a home baker in 2010, and opened the shop downtown in 2012.
The couple lived above the store with their three children, enjoying about 5,000 square feet of living space.
Their children are now 24, 21 and 19 and have moved out on their own. Several years ago, though, Mark and Stacy became foster parents.
That led to the adoption of their son, age 6, in May. They’re also caring for another young child.
The business demanded much of their time and attention. They offered baked goods for pre-order, shipping and on-demand. The storefront offered not only cookies and cakes but also hot lunches. An events center next door allowed them to offer catered events.
Mark was the face of the business, and typically handled the customer service side of things while Stacy took care of baking and cooking.
“It was nice to see people,” Mark said.
“I think he’s trying to find things to do now,” Stacy said, joking.
