New in town

“This community has been really encouraging,” Austin said. “We think we bring something unique to Old Town.”

The Old Town location, just a few miles away from Aggie Mae’s spot in the Lansing City Market, affords the bakery an opportunity to run a second kitchen. Although the kinks are still being ironed out after the recent move, Austin says she plans to take advantage of the extra space.

“By moving our bakery production to Old Town, we can dedicate this market space to gluten-free products and avoid any chance of cross contamination,” Austin said.

The new location is intimate, with seating for just over a half-dozen. It has maple floors, pretty display cases, jars of cookies and platters of scones, and it fits right into the neighborhood’s art-without-pretension ethos.

“It’s classic Old Town,” Austin said, adding that the new location feels just like home. “It’s a good blend for us.”

In its new digs, Aggie Mae’s is dishing up made-to-order sandwiches with Boar’s Head brand meats and cheeses, hand-formed breads and colorful pastries. The Old Town spot also has a full espresso and coffee bar.

The catering orders have picked up, too. “That’s one thing that’s been really great: catering business lunches,” Austin said.

The not-so-secret key to Aggie Mae’s growth is a resolute attention to quality. Austin says her ingredients are as natural as possible and that’s where it all starts — but she stakes Aggie Mae’s reputation on high-quality service and presentation as well, noting that we eat with our eyes before we taste a thing. Customers can expect more of the same in Old Town.

“It’s absolutely beautiful here,” Austin said of her new location.

Aggie Mae’s Bakery

317 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing

7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday

7 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday

Closed Sunday

(517) 214-2765