From the mixer to the oven then to the rack and repeat. It’s a process perfected over 38 years, but on Friday, it came to an end.
“I feel like I’m losing a family member. It feels almost like a funeral,” said co-owner Jeff Roscoe.
After decades of serving Islanders their daily fresh bread, Island Bakery in Cobble Hill has turned off its ovens for good.
“Over the last five years our overall product numbers have dropped 75 per cent… people are just not eating bread like they used to,” Roscoe said.
His parents, Larry and Aubrey, opened the bakery in 1982 with a dream to provide fresh bread at a competitive price.
Aubrey, now 82-years-old, has continued to make the daily trip over the Malahat to keep an eye on things.
“We couldn’t have done it without the people that came and bought our products and decided it was the best on the Island. Fresh all the time. They’re just great supporters of ours,” Aubrey said.
And those supporters aren’t hesitant to show their appreciation.
“The Roscoe Family and the Island Bakery have done so much for the community and local events and support for sports teams and community services and stuff like that,” said Carl Schweter, who has been a customer for 25 years. It’s a sad day for the Roscoe family, but the outpouring of support they’ve received has made it bittersweet.
“The sadness of closing up is almost being taken over by the well wishes and the gratitude I’m getting from customers,” Roscoe said.
Ben Nesbit
