Glass jewelry artist and baker Dianna Craig is opening DOUGH! Bakery in a renovated space on 5th Ave in Port Alberni. The bakery has already been a hit in its current counter in Wesco Foods, 2960 3rd Ave, but a storefront is attracting excitement from the community.
Dianna’s son Hatchet Craig said, “There has been huge support to get our doors open. People have graciously offered their time, furniture, even floor space for us to sell some of our products while our doors are closed for renovations.”
Hatchet added, “Mom wants this bakery to be a continuous rotation of products with no set menu to keep people interested and coming back to discover new and exciting food.”
Dianna is the proprietor of The Glass Platypus and makes blown glass jewelry as well as running Dough!
Hatchet said, “My mom wanted to be able to work for herself, as she is disabled, but not in a way the government recognizes. She is frequently ill and experiences chronic pain. Working a regular job now is far more difficult for her, but with this bakery, she can work her own schedule and hours, while still being able to pursue the things that she wants to make.”
Hatchet said he and his mother hope to create a space that will provide “good food, weird art on the walls, and a comfortable, inviting space for people to get a taste of home.”
Building Dough! meant standardizing recipes, interacting with customers, and renovating the larger space to be ready for its grand opening. “We are building something together that will be my mom’s legacy, while providing a warm, accepting space here in Port Alberni, where people can enjoy good homemade food.”
Longer term the team hope to hire staff and grow their operations, but while you’re waiting for Dough!’s doors to open, check them out at Wesco Foods and follow Dianna on Facebook.
