Thank Heavens for Family and Friends.

We know that our families and friends deserve partial responsibility for our success. From giving us seed money to separating doilies, they helped us succeed physically and emotionally.

Mary Pat’s Family’s Contribution Brother Tom $500. Investment, financial advice (and constructive criticism) Husband Mark brainstormer, designed our original computer ordering system, fixit man, middle of the night emergency problem solver, Wholesale account delivery on occasion, Wedding delivery on a regular basis, Our IT person. “Mark , can you come fix a computer issue” Day and Night Son.

Brad delivery of wedding cakes and special holiday deliveries

Daughter Margot all around work in the Cafe and original artwork and design help Brother Danny Delivery for wholesale accounts

Brother Terry donated his old computers

Nephew Chris created our first webpage

Mother-in-law June Pace customer service at the counter and separated a million doilies, no 2 million doilies, added authentic southern drawl when answering the phone . “Hello bonbonERIE!”

Aunt Claire would strategically gather sugar packets from various restaurants in East Walnut and when she filled the jar with their sweet contents would bring in the jar for Mary Pat for baking. (No, we didn’t use this sugar but appreciated the thought)

Niece Julie Pace Customer service at the bakery counter Nephew Jay Ryan emergency dishwasher

Niece Tara Ryan wedding cake delivery and helped us with design questions

Nephew Pat Ryan present wholesale account manager, inspired opera cream beer and event planner for this, jack of all trades fixit person.

All Mary Pat’s Neighbors and Friends actual offered us physical help and advice of all sorts. Gina Hidebrant Christmas helps in all forms Maureen Roush Holiday helper and great organizer. Extra hands at events from Zoofari to various parties in the tearoom Eddie Roush bartender extraordinaire Dan Sheehy Designed and put in our spiral staircase John Hanselman legal issues and personal notary public

Sharon’s Family’s Contribution Mom $500. Investment, worked at the counter for years, delivering left over scones and pastries to all her neighbors in Finneytown…( good will), an occasional wedding delivery. She told me she would beep the horn til someone from the country club came out to help her carry a heavy cake. Hopefully it would be one of her former students . (thanks to them too). She once shouted at our mayor Bobby Stern who arrived a few minutes after closing” Lady, we’re closed!” Added NYC character to the staff at the counter.

Husband Karl, can you hang this, fix this , move this pick up this and help me deliver wedding cakes? Smiling? Once he drove to New Jersey for an emergency overnight repair of essential equipment, with the flu. Check on the building if alarm went off.

Sister Maureen babysitter of my son Evan , delivery person of wedding cakes in her BIG station wagon, tearoom advisor then sales manager for Jungle Jim and whatever the heck else needed to be done, she did. Brother Chuck legal advice of every sort . Luckily, he has sweet tooth .

Brother Peter Architectural design and actual construction in new tearoom and other physical space solutions. Sister-in-law Judy Created for our Art of Food Exhibitions at the Carnegie arts Center, volunteered to help at any event

Son Evan after school separator of whole walnuts from pieces, wedding delivery assistant, box folder, just does it because it needs to be done while in school.

Evan’s father Bill Butler was an original delivery person and all around the emissary of goodwill to the community.

Niece Erin, Babysitter of Evan, cookie team member, wedding cake deliverer, All around sure, what do you need me to do person. Our graphic artist for posters and ads

Niece Meghan cookie team member with a bounty of efficiency observations.

Meghan’s ex-husband, Dan, computer wizard in a big pinch.

Nephew Ian dishwasher full of shenanigans, Wedding cake delivery assistant, mover of large objects when necessary.

Friend Bettina raised her three children in the old tearoom on scones every Saturday and now is our number ONE wedding cake delivery specialist along with her daughter Ariel.

Recipes from friends and family have also contributed to our success. Many recipes we continue to use today. Here are just a few: My mother-in-law Lou, Lucretia’s Apple Pie , Aunt Rea Wind cookies, My friend Vicki cotton candy pigs, my sister’s mother’s friend Mrs. Vogepohl peppermint kisses, Mrs. Lytle our lemon squares, and Ann Marquis mocha mousse cheesecake.

Another advantage of being in business for so long is that the children of our friends and neighbors worked part time jobs between school life or as they lingered in the limbo of young adulthood. Sometimes I would hate to see them finally find their way in the world, knowing we were just a small step on their personal journeys. I often wonder where they are now and that as older adults if they ever reminisce about their days at the bakery. They were so important during summers and holidays to lighten the load with their joyful demeanors.

It’s impossible to count all the people who supported this sweet disorder, but because of their advice, friendship and presence, BonBonerie is still thriving. Thanks to every one of you and also to all the friends of friends that helped us in a pinch. You all helped to make this happen.

Sharon Butler, Co-Founder