By Sarah Finley, ODA Treasurer
This July, the Ottawa Downtown Association is proud to recognize The Ottawa Bakery as our Business of the Month.
The timing couldn’t be more fitting. As owner Holli Clark sat down to share her story, she reflected on a milestone that’s especially meaningful: The Ottawa Bakery will celebrate its 11th anniversary over the Fourth of July weekend.
“I remember watching the fireworks from the alley with my husband while we were getting the store ready to open,” Holli recalled.
Opening a bakery had long been a dream, but like many entrepreneurs, Holli wasn’t sure she’d ever feel completely ready.
“People told me, ‘If you wait until you’re ready or until everything is planned, you’ll never open,'” she said. “I didn’t really feel ready.”
As a mother of four with a husband working full-time, opening a business wasn’t a decision she made overnight. For years, she quietly prepared for the future, setting money aside and collecting equipment one piece at a time whenever she could. While working another job, she eventually reached a point where she knew it was time to take the leap and turn her dream into reality.
When she first toured the building at 630 Court Street, Holli actually worried the space might be too large.
“I pictured something much smaller and quieter,” she said.
As it turned out, it was exactly the right fit.
Community and Connection
Another concern quickly disappeared as well. Because she wasn’t originally from Ottawa, Holli wondered if it would be difficult to establish herself in the community. Instead, she found an incredibly welcoming town. Old friends and new customers alike quickly filled the bakery, embracing both her homemade treats and the warm atmosphere she created.
Today, that sense of connection remains one of Holli’s favorite parts of owning the bakery.
She enjoys remembering customers’ favorite pastries, recommending new treats based on what she knows they’ll enjoy, and catching up with the people who have become regulars over the years. That personal touch has helped make The Ottawa Bakery a destination for both local residents and visitors alike.
“We are a destination for a lot of people,” Holli said. “People will even ask what week we’re on vacation so they don’t miss us when they come into town.”
Of course, Holli is quick to point out that she hasn’t built the business alone.
She credits her incredible team—some of whom have been with her since the bakery first opened—for their hard work and dedication. In those early days, friends and family pitched in wherever they were needed, even baking cookies in the middle of the night to help prepare for opening day. Today, the family tradition continues, with Holli’s own children helping behind the counter.
Made from Scratch
Everything at The Ottawa Bakery is made from scratch, right down to the cannoli shells. Many of the bakery’s most-loved recipes have been passed down through generations of Holli’s family.
“My sugar cookies, carrot cake, and lemon bars all come from my great-grandmother and one of my grandmothers,” she shared.
Facing Unique Challenges Head On
Like many small businesses, The Ottawa Bakery has weathered its share of challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic tested businesses everywhere, but Holli describes herself simply as “a doer,” someone determined to find solutions rather than dwell on obstacles.
Today’s economy presents its own challenges as ingredient and operating costs continue to rise, while many families are forced to carefully prioritize their spending.
“What we sell isn’t a need,” Holli explained. “People have to make tough financial decisions.”
Still, she remains grateful for the loyal customers who continue to support local businesses.
The Guestbook
One feature of the bakery that means the most to Holli isn’t found in the display case—it’s the guestbook.
Now on its sixth volume, the guestbook has become a treasured collection of stories from visitors near and far. Guests often write where they’re from, where they’re headed, or what brought them to Ottawa. Over the years, Holli has welcomed people from around the world through her doors.
“That’s probably one of my favorite things about the bakery,” she said. “The guestbook.”
As The Ottawa Bakery celebrates 11 years in downtown Ottawa, it’s clear that the business has become much more than a place to grab a pastry. It’s a gathering place built on family recipes, genuine hospitality, hard work, and community.
Congratulations to Holli Clark and the entire team at The Ottawa Bakery on being selected as the Ottawa Downtown Association’s July Business of the Month. Here’s to many more years of serving delicious homemade treats—and creating sweet memories along the way.
