BLACKSHEAR — When Cindy Royster needed a reliable way to fund her mission trips, she immediately thought of a longstanding Southern tradition — preparing food for others.
“I decided to learn how to make sourdough bread,” said Royster. “Friends and family were my tastetesters until I felt confident enough to sell it.”
Once Royster perfected her recipe, she sold enough bread to fund several mission trips. However, she began to miss baking in between fundraising.
“I would see farm stands and thought, why not a bake stand?” she stated.
Royster began investigating cottage food laws, which allow individuals to prepare and sell food to the public from their home kitchens. Soon thereafter, The Hacklebarney Bake Stand came to life at 5933 Hacklebarney Road.
Still in its first year, the honor bake stand has been a valued addition to the Hacklebarney community, with items consistently selling out mere hours after the “Open” sign is hung.
Royster said she “wasn’t sure anyone would stop” when the bake stand first opened. “It still surprises me every time I look down the lane and see someone there.”
Having read horror stories about honor stand theft, she has been pleased to find Hacklebarney is “truly filled with Honor. The honesty and support shown at the stand has been nothing short of amazing.”
The Hacklebarney Bake Stand is open on an “as it’s baked” basis. Royster makes sure to update the bake stand’s official Facebook page, @The Hacklebarney Bake Stand, when items have been put out for purchase.
In addition to sourdough, Royster sells her own tried-and-true family recipes, such as her mom’s sugar cookies, her mother-in-law’s honey bun cake and her aunt’s chewy bread, among other delicious goodies.
“The bake stand is my way of loving my neighbor,” said Royster. “My only goal for my business is to bring joy to others through baking and to honor Jesus in everything I do.”
