Contributing writer Bonnie Cranmer
Drive into New Castle on Route 311 and find large coffee flags flying at the Lemon and Vale Cakery. The “Cakery” is a casual gathering place that has become an integral part of the community. From the warm greetings to the information bulletin board, the place is welcoming to residents and visitors alike.
Boasting a wide variety of baked goods, with coffee as their specialty, the Cakery keeps busy Thursday through Monday each week. The Red Rooster brand of coffee beans from Floyd County is carefully brewed for a selection of specialty drinks, and traditional favorites. Bags of used coffee grounds can be found in a basket at the door for anyone who wants to add it to their house plants or garden.
There are tables, an easy chair and couch, and a window to watch the world go by while enjoying your treats. Sit and relax with one of the daily made creations like a peach cream cheese danish or a blueberry scone. Chicken salad on a buttery croissant and a hot cup of soup for lunch cures the winter blues at this local eatery.
The cakery recently announced that specialty cakes were available to order for birthdays, anniversaries and other celebrations. Cakes are available in four sizes in a vivid selection of flavors and designs. Cake slices like the recent Chocolate Oreo cake, chocolate cake with Oreo buttercream frosting, can sometimes be found, just to get the taste buds dancing. Check the website and Facebook page for more details.
The space at the cakery includes a private meeting room for group events. Owner and baker, Dawn Perkey, is happy the space is being used for family parties and other activities. A yoga class was offered recently and other events are planned. The availability of public spaces like those at Lemon and Vale Cakery afford community members a place to gather and socialize.
Convenience is another way that Lemon and Vale Cakery is supporting customers. The business uses an online ordering system with their website, allowing customers the ease of ordering and easy pickups at the shop. The website hosts a variety of drink choices, like the Dragons Tooth Latte, with spiced brown sugar, or the Mocha Magic Mushroom Latte, with cocoa and Adaptogenic mushroom blend – Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Lacuma and unroasted dark chocolate, for a new taste experience. Picking up a hot drink for the commute to work or drive through the country can help the cold feel less frigid!
On any day that the Cakery is open, find plenty of local and visiting voices enjoying the baked creations and fresh coffee. The space has become a favorite for local friends and family to gather, and a popular stop for visitors to Craig County. The bulletin board has local business and timely information to connect visitors with resources, shopping and entertainment. Watch for the flags out front of their corner location to find the Lemon and Vale Cakery when in New Castle.
