Great Harvest Bread Company Opens in Orion Township

The newly opened Great Harvest Bread Company in Orion Township offers freshly baked whole grain breads and sweets, fresh soups and salads, made-to-order sandwiches, locally roasted Leelanau coffee from Glen Arbor and free wireless high-speed Internet.

Orion Township residents Jim and Louise Westcott opened the bakery, located at the Baldwin Crossing Plaza overlooking Friendship Park across the street. The Westcotts have lived in Lake Orion since 1985, with three children graduating from Lake Orion High School.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Westcotts' Great Harvest offer lunch sandwiches at the bakery at 1015 South Baldwin Road.

With the Westcotts' desire to support Michigan businesses, preserves and jellies from Petoskey's American Spoon, Naturally Nutty Peanut Butter from Traverse City, and Cream Nut Peanut Butter from Grand Rapids will be available for sale. Dipping oils from Auburn Hills and Lapeer will be offered as well, which can be paired with the nine varieties of breads coming from their ovens each morning.

Customers can watch the baking process in action as bakers knead the dough and handcraft each loaf. Honey Whole Wheat, 9-Grain and Dakota are among the highlighted whole grain breads. Popular specialty breads are Apple Crunch, Cheddar Garlic, Cranberry Orange and Cinnamon Chip, used to make French Toast, are also be on the menu.

The sweet bread lineup includes Pumpkin Chocolate Chip and Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed loaves.

The restaurant also includes "Dragon Bread," made with red pepper, spinach, and chunks of Parmesan cheese on Montana wheat bread and named in honor of the Lake Orion High School mascot.

Business hours will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. For more information about the Great Harvest Bakery, visit www.GreatHarvestLakeOrion.com or call 248-391-5144.