Boissevain Bakeshop: Fresh Baking, Creative Flavours, and Community Roots in Boissevain, Manitoba

When you walk into the Boissevain Bakeshop, the first thing you notice is the smell—warm bread, sweet pastries, and something fresh from the oven that makes you slow down and breathe it in. For Alex Moody, that smell is more than a sign of good baking. It’s the scent of a dream realized.

Alex grew up in Boissevain, attended school here from kindergarten through grade twelve, and has always had a love of food. After graduating from Assiniboine Community College's Culinary Arts program in 2011, he imagined owning his own bakery someday. He even approached the previous owners back then to see if they were ready to sell. They weren't, and they encouraged him to get more experience first. So Alex packed his knives and headed west, spending seven years in Edmonton sharpening his skills and learning the business from the inside out.

Then, in the early days of COVID, the call came. The owners were ready to retire and wondered if Alex was still interested. He didn’t hesitate. With a solid business plan and a clear vision, Alex returned home, worked alongside the previous owners to make the transition smooth, and opened the doors as the new owner of the Boissevain Bakeshop. For Alex, it wasn’t just about buying a business—it was about coming home, being close to family, and creating a space where his creativity could shine.

Today, the Bakeshop is a cornerstone of the community. The shelves are filled with fresh bread, soft buns, donuts, cookies, pastries, cakes, and cupcakes. There’s also a growing menu of take-and-bake meals—lasagna, sausage rolls, quiche—all made in-house for busy families who want something delicious without the prep. Alex’s creativity shows in the variety and rotation of items, and his commitment to quality means every ingredient matters. Local restaurants even buy his bread and buns wholesale, a quiet sign of trust in what he’s baking.

The community has supported him from day one. People embraced the change in ownership, and being a familiar face helped. Alex gives back too—supporting local events and donating through his “Coffee for Causes” program, where ten percent of coffee sales go to Manitoba organizations four times a year. It’s his way of making sure the Bakeshop is more than a business; it’s part of something bigger.

Of course, running a bakery isn’t without challenges. Staffing has been the hardest part—finding people who want to learn, work, and stay. After three years, Alex feels like he’s getting there. He’s also learned the rhythm of the seasons: winter slows down, so he leans into take-and-bake meals, while summer brings tourists and a busier pace. Looking ahead, he dreams of offering delivery in town and to surrounding communities, but that will require another skilled baker—a tough find in a small town.

The Bakeshop already makes a significant impact locally, employing seven to nine people year-round and adding two or three seasonal positions for students. Alex partners with other businesses too, supplying bread and buns to local restaurants and teaming up with Hillbilly Hills Cookies for the decorated sugar cookies that brighten his display case.

His goals for the next few years are ambitious but straightforward: keep creating, upgrade equipment when needed, make the Bakeshop a happy, safe space for staff and customers, and—if luck and timing allow—find that second baker to help him grow. What would make life easier? Better communication about local events. Sports tournaments, quilt shows—these things bring people to town, and knowing when they’re happening helps him plan.

If you ask Alex what advice he'd give someone starting a business in Boissevain, he doesn't hesitate: have a solid business plan, make sure your product is something people want, secure your funding, get quotes in writing, and—maybe most importantly—get to know the community. Listen to what people coming through your door are saying.  They are the ones who are going to make or break your business so building those relationships and meeting their needs is crucial. Be willing to adjust and adapt—flexibility matters.

And what does he love most? Doing what he loves every day. Working alongside a great team. Being back where he grew up, surrounded by family and supported by a community that cares. “I’m grateful,” he says, “to live and do business in Boissevain among business owners I respect.”

So next time you’re in town, follow your nose to the Boissevain Bakeshop. Whether it’s a loaf of fresh bread, a box of donuts, or a take-and-bake meal for supper, you’ll find something made with care—and a story baked right in.