Bites Nearby: Golden Crust Bakery

Four years later, people are still asking Walter Nelson and Kathy Sikon, the proprietors of , about their doughnuts.

The couple have been through a lot in the years, including a plumbing-induced fire that put their last bakery out of business for six months.

"After that time, you're basically starting all over again," said Sikon, "and if you're going to start all over again, you might as well start over in a more centralized location, so that's what we did."

They returned in November with Golden Crust Bakery, 8893 Mentor Ave., across from and next to .

And the clientele they built in Willoughby from 2006 to 2008, and before that at Mentor Bake Shoppe from 1990 to '93, have returned.

Golden Crust is a full line bakery geared toward smaller portions, meaning it has everything from breads to croissants to cakes and pastries. They say it's among the few old-fashioned bakeries remaining — the younger generation doesn't want to work like that.

Professional baking is not just a job; its hours and intensity make it a lifestyle.

With this in mind, Golden Crust offers variety rarely seen anymore: the Russian tea cakes, the snuggles, the danish, the coffee cakes, the cream puffs and ladylocks like they used to be made, with the marshmallow cream.

Sikon met her future husband while working for his dad in the 1970s in Mentor. Nelson's 45 years of experience span Jewish bakeries, England and managing three bakeries in the Terminal Tower downtown. His sourdough breads are all made from scratch, and he still uses his German, Swedish and Irish family recipes. Similarly, Sikon mines her Polish, Hungarian and Slovak family secrets, including her grandma's Hungarian nut roll.

Stop in for a coffee or pastry Tuesday through Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pastry trays are available. Cake orders for birthdays, weddings or other special events can be placed at 440-205- 0601. Golden Crust Bakery is also on Facebook.