Simply Sherry – a bakery designed to serve the community – will open to the public on Saturday, Nov. 14.
While the bakery serves as an income, it will also provide something much greater to co-owner Sherry Sperring – a higher quality of life.
Sherry, born and raised in Boyertown, credits her “foodie mentality” to work she did at the Philadelphia Convention Center as a controller involved with the food and drinks.
“When I could, I spent time with the pastry chef,” said Sherry, “It’s my love to bake and create.”
In 2009, Sherry was diagnosed with a rare spinal cancer. “When I got diagnosed – I went from a crazy job to being confined to four walls.” She needed something to sustain her. This is when baking came into play.
“While at [AstraZeneca] Hope Lodge, I would get up early and bake. It reminds me of home-it takes you back, makes you feel good.”
Sherry pursued schooling in modern technique and design for cakes. Since then, she has been making cakes for friends and family.
“I needed it mentally,” she said. “It’s very therapeutic for me – I forget my pain when I’m creative like that.”
Then her business just evolved – through word of mouth and encouragement from those surrounding her.
Describing herself as someone who is “not conducive to being alone all day,” the bakery will be beneficial by keeping her busy and social.
Simply Sherry places an emphasis on the visual aspect of custom cakes.
“The custom cake environment means whatever you come to me with – we’ll research it. No two cakes are alike.”
Sherry wasn’t the first in her family to pursue baking. She says her grandparents had a bakery in Boyertown in the early 1900s. And her husband, Jeff Sperring, has always wanted to have a coffee shop, bakery type business.
“He’s the one that said we should go for this,” said Sherry. “It took a giant leap of faith.”
The couple signed the lease on Oct. 13. Things have been moving rather quickly since then, in preparation for their ribbon cutting on Nov. 12 to be followed by their grand opening at 14 S. Reading Ave. on Nov. 14. Doors will open to the public at 7 a.m. Regular hours will be Wednesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The baking company, already a provider of baked goods to the Colebrookdale Railroad, is making an effort to represent the same era with a “steampunk” theme. She had just completed a Cinderella cake featuring a glass slipper, but it’s the Steampunk cake designed for bakery’s window that she is most excited about.
There will be varied selection of baked goods-both traditional and gourmet. In addition, coffeehouse commodities such as hot drinks and fresh smoothies will be available.
Sherry says the goal is to serve the community, noting that paleo and gluten-free products have been popular requests.
When it comes to her favorite aspect, she notes her flowers – all of which are handmade and hand painted. As a survivor, she says that the time and detail involved with the work is very healing for her.
Accustomed to working in Philadelphia and New York City, Sherry says “I’m coming home now.”
