Sweet! Indeed

opens in Madelia

Business features

bakery, coffee,

Amish items

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

MADELIA -- Lovers of the sweet and petite will enjoy a visit to one of this growing community's newest businesses -- Sweet! Indeed.

Owned and operated by Lynn Michels, the store features a bakery with a wide variety of sweet rolls including caramel, Danish, and many others including ones that resemble sea shells.

Rolls that look like sticks, a.k.a Hodge Sticks, are the first to sell out each day. They were named after a Madelia plumber named who sampled them and told Michels which ones he thought tasted best while helping remodel the building before it opened for business.

A variety of specialty coffee is also featured. Last Tuesday, raspberry chocolate was the flavor of the day. Espresso, latte and smoothie drinks are available.

Michels dreamed of owning her own bakery for a long time. Growing up in Madelia and she and her husband live in rural Hanska.

She studied commercial baking at Mankato Vocational School but didn't use the skills as a vocation for nearly two decades until a month ago.

Impressed with the number of new and expanded business in Madelia, Michels leased a building at 6 Main Street West, at the east end of downtown Madelia. The space formerly housed an antique, specialty and printing shop.

"We're a growing community that we thought could use more speciality shops," Michels said.

Tammy Rupp, who is studying at a Mankato culinary school, is working as an intern.

Wooden items made by the Amish are for sale on the west side of the business. Michels said the items are selling well. She became interested in them after visiting Amish colonies in Ohio and North Carolina recently.

The store has been well-received by the community and visitors from far away. Customers from Japan and Florida visited the business during its first week.

Madelia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tara Mueller had glowing words about it.

"I guarantee you will be more than impressed," Mueller said. "It's beautiful and the donuts are incredible. The Amish furniture is adorable."