Not many small businesses in Victoria can boast the longevity and charm that Dutch Bakery and Diner can.
Formerly known as Dutch Bakery and Coffee Shop, the three cousins who still run the family business, Michele Byrne, Jack Schaddelee and Brook Schaddelee, decided to tweak the name along with this years’ renovations.
“A lot of people think of Starbucks, you go and have a muffin, when they think of a coffee shop and don’t understand that you can come in and have a full meal,” said Jack Schaddelee.
Nestled behind the bakery display lined with delicious treats and homemade chocolates, is an old-fashioned diner, complete with those spinning bar stools every kid loves.
Black and white photos on the wall show the family history. Over the diner bar, a photograph of their grandfather and father’s shortly after immigrating from the Netherlands, the original diner and an array of family wedding photos.
The bakery was opened in 1956 after their grandfather, Kees Schaddelee Sr., immigrated from the Netherlands in 1955. Originally only half the current size, the building came up for sale and Schaddelee Sr., purchased the building and expanded the bakery.
“They had always had a bakery in Holland so they opened a bakery [in Victoria] and it was half the size of this,” said Michele Byrne.
The trio officially took over the business in 2013 and this year, felt it was time to do some upgrades.
“They always say don’t change the diner look. We updated the look a little bit and it turned out good, we are really pleased,” said Jack Schaddelee.
When your in business for almost 60 years, you pick up some loyal customers.
“We’ve been really lucky we haven’t seemed to be challenged at all people really like our stuff. It’s something they’ve kinda grown up with,” said Jack Schaddelee.
With gluten-free bakeries popping up around Victoria, they didn’t even need to try and create their own product. They realized that some of their cookies they’ve been serving up for years were already gluten friendly.
“One of our cookies we’ve been making forever are gluten-wise and now we market them as more of a gluten-wise cookie,” said Byrne.
What they hope for the future, is to continue on the success, with the help of the next generation of Schaddelees.
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