Staunton News Leader - 07/02/2016 Page : A01

Copyright © 2016 Staunton News Leader 07/02/2016July 3, 2016 10:33 am (GMT +4:00) Powered by TECNAVIA

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STAUNTON — Shannon Tinsley has awide open space to bake to her heart’sdesire.

The former Mrs. Rowe’s catering fa-cility boasts 4,000 square feet and it’sthe perfect spot for Tinsley to expandher baking business, SweetNanaCakes.

Although the space is still reminis-cent of Mrs. Rowe’s with its deep blue

floors and white walls, Tinsley has a new design recipefor the space.

The floors will be chocolate brown, with accents ofbuttercream and mint.

She specifically chose the large warehouse off Rich-mond Avenue in Staunton because she saw hope in it.The place just needs a little bit of elbow grease andsome love.

“It’s an old building and we’re giving it new life,” Tin-sley said.

Tinsley, who will be partnering with her husband,Chris, for the venture, is keen on repurposing things.The industrial baking equipment that now sits in thespace was found upstairs. She said the building owneris letting her make payments on the equipment, clean itup and she will be renting the space.

LAURA PETERS LPETERS@NEWSLEADER.COM

MIKE TRIPP/THE NEWS LEADERShannon Tinsley, owner of SweetNanaCakes, stands inside the building once used by Mrs. Rowe's catering thatshe wishes to convert for use by her business on Richmond Road in Staunton.

See Bakery, Page 2A

BAKE FROMTHE HEART

SweetNanaCakesto open at formerMrs. Rowe’scatering facility

MIKE TRIPP/THE NEWS LEADERThe colors used by Mrs. Rowe’s will bechanged to floors of chocolate brown, withaccents of buttercream and mint, saysSweetNanaCakes owner Shannon Tinsley.

Staunton News Leader - 07/02/2016 Page : A02

Copyright © 2016 Staunton News Leader 07/02/2016July 3, 2016 10:34 am (GMT +4:00) Powered by TECNAVIA

After Mrs. Rowe’s catering closed down, the spot satvacant for a number of years. Prior to Tinsley, the spacealso housed the store John’s Deals and Steals.

“It’s awesome to be able to expand,” Tinsley said.“I’m like a kid in a candy store. I can’t wait to be up in myelbows in buttercream. When I have sugar all over me,I’m the happiest.”

Tinsley quit her job in sales and will be financing herendeavor. Her husband will be working part-time withher, while keeping another full-time job.

Tinsley has been baking since she was a little girl. It’ssomething she did while growing up in Highland Coun-ty.

“I baked for fun,” she said. “Some people are classi-cally trained in baking, but I bake from the heart.”

Her business started about four years ago in herkitchen. She does weddings, parties and even sells hercupcakes at LTD 7 in Staunton.

“I have a loyal following and those repeat customershave kept me in business,” she said.

She plans on having a retail shop in the front of thespace, which will lead into a bridal suite, where she cando consultations with brides or other customers for up-coming events. There is a large kitchen area and anoth-er room Tinsley plans on using for party rentals orclasses.

“I want to have like girls’ night out and mommy anddaughter cupcake decorating classes,” she said.

With the expanded space, she hopes to do more out-reach in the community. Tinsley said she wants to serveas a connection to other businesses that go hand-in-hand with her company.

“I just want to bake and do what I love,” she said.“People have done for me, I just want to give back.”

She’s expecting to open in late July. For more infor-mation, visit SweetNanaCakes Facebook page.

BakeryContinued from Page 1A