Destiny Bidinger was recently inspired to start a little business in her corner of Alpena to continue her hobby and share it with others.

“I really like baking,” Bidinger said. “And I had seen people online who were doing other things like this — mainly selling produce — so I figured maybe I could do it for baked goods.”

Bread, bagels, cookies, one-serving cakes, muffins, and more are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“I’ve been stocking the shelves on Wednesdays and Sundays,” Bidinger said. “Those are the days that I’m off work so that’s when things will be the freshest.”

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Prices are seen on the chalkboard of Destiny Bidinger’s baked goods stand on Wednesday.

Bidinger works at Meijer as a cake decorator, turning her hobby into even more profit.

“I’m not charging a whole bunch yet since I’m just starting out,” she added. “I started out by doing sourdough. Learning about sourdough is actually really fun because you can do breads, but you can also use the sourdough discard — it’s called — which gives everything a good fermentation and makes it gut healthy and easier to digest.”

Bidinger explained that this is something she is already experimenting with but hopes to do more.

“You can use it in all your sweets, too,” she said. “So any baked good recipe, you can add that, and it just makes it a little more rich and gives it a little extra something.”

Sourdough can take some time, she said, adding that it’s usually a two-day process. Bidinger said that the starter can take up to two weeks to get established, but that’s when the baking truly begins.

Courtesy Photo Destiny Bidinger’s baked goods stand is presented with baked goods, jewelry, and more stacked on the shelves.

Bidinger’s stand utilizes the honor system. She provides prices on a chalkboard and people can leave behind cash or use payment apps to transfer funds for the items they selected. This allows the little business to be open at all times.

“Hopefully people will be honest,” she said. “If someone is that desperate that they need to take something, I mean people get in sticky situations, and if they need food, it’s no problem.

“Most people, though, have been really nice about it,” she added. “I’ve even gotten extra dollars than what stuff is priced at. I was really surprised, actually. I thought, ‘That’s pretty cool.'”

Having just recently set up the stand, she’s already seen the joy it brings to others and the profit it brings to her, and she’s beginning to imagine a future for the stand.

“Hopefully next year I’ll have a garden growing and be able to sell both baked goods and produce,” she said.

Courtesy Photo Destiny Bidinger’s baked goods stand is presented bare before she decorated it and filled the shelves with baked goods, jewelry, and more.

The fresh produce she plans to grow could also be used in her baked goods down the road.

“I’d probably have to add onto this stand,” she said. “I’m still working on signs too. I want to make a nice ‘Baked on Bloom’ sign for it.”

However, that should be no problem, as she and her mom built the stand and were already planning to make it bigger and better.

“We’re going to add a tin roof in the next couple weeks, just to be safe and make sure everything stays nice and dry,” she said, discussing potential weather that could be problematic. “I’m planning on keeping it open in the winter and adding a shutter-style door to keep the snow out.”

Her mom, Bethany Manes, explained that Bidinger came to her with the idea and, from there, the two of them started thinking and working toward that goal. The process of the build took about a month to come together.

Courtesy Photo Freshly made bread for Destiny Bidinger’s baked goods stand is posted to her Baked on Bloom Facebook page.

Manes has helped Bidinger in other ways with the stand, as well. She taught her daughter to make hemp jewelry and even offered her own creations to display.

“I learned to make jewelry at the Renaissance Festival,” Manes said. “I would take my kids there all throughout their childhood. We would do all six weekends.”

Manes explained that the signs on the side of the stand, displaying the available items, were also inspired by signs she’d seen at the festival.

“She’s already seeing repeat customers, and the word is spreading quickly,” Manes said about Bidinger’s stand.

Bidinger said she’s a bit nervous about selling out quickly but that she will do the best she can to keep the stock replenished.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Cookies are seen packaged and on display at Destiny Bidinger’s baked goods stand on Wednesday.

She said they are starting to get requests on Facebook. They also considered the idea of a suggestion box and even taking orders in the future to ensure people get what they want, in case things do sell out fast.

Along with the stand, there is another addition to her life as Bidinger recently had a baby, which is also keeping her busy.

“Most of the baking gets done while he’s sleeping,” she said.

Despite her busy schedule, Bidinger hopes to keep the stand up and running smoothly, stating how excited she is each night to see what people have chosen while she is at work.

“I come out here usually every day after work just to see what happened while I was away,” Bidinger said.

When asked if she’s concerned about animals getting into the food at night, Bidinger said she usually only sees bunnies in the area, so she’s not too worried about it. As she adds onto the stand, extra protection may be added, should those problems arise.

Bidinger said she may consider growing her business in the future, even considering starting a booth at a Farmers Market next year, but for now, she’s just excited to see the little stand grow.

“It’s fun and it’s something for the whole community to enjoy,” Bidinger said. “Hopefully, when the holidays come around, too, I can start making seasonal items. I’m working on pumpkin and cinnamon apple recipes right now.”

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Destiny Bidinger and her mom Bethany Manes stand next to Bidinger’s baked goods stand on the corner of Bloom Road and Long Lake Road on Wednesday.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Destiny Bidinger stands next to her baked goods stand on the corner of Bloom Road and Long Lake Road on Wednesday.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Destiny Bidinger shows off bread she recently made while restocking her baked goods stand in September.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Signs showcase the available items at Destiny Bidinger’s baked goods stand on the corner of Bloom Road and Long Lake Road.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Hemp jewelry is seen on display at Destiny Bidinger’s baked goods stand on Wednesday.

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