18-year-old baker pursues shop in Portland
Turning 18 has meant a lot to Emie Dunagan.
The year has already seen her graduate from Assumption High School, sign her first loan and, maybe most importantly, lease a space that will allow her to move her baking business from a shared kitchen to her own storefront.
"I think this space is what I need in terms of turning it into a full-fledged bakery," Dunagan said. "I can go out on my own, not on a huge scale, but be out in the community, doing my own thing."
Dunagan has been baking since she was a child. She started her company, Em's Delights, when she was 15.
The Courier-Journal caught up with Dunagan earlier this year while she was making cakes and pastries at Chef Space in the Russell neighborhood, filling orders for individual customers and a handful of accounts – such as Heine Brothers' coffee shops and The Table Cafe.
Since moving into Chef Space, Dunagan has increased her business tenfold. And as she approaches her year anniversary there, she said she is ready to take the next step by opening a production bakery and storefront at 603 N. 26th St. in Portland.
"I found the space online and it was a deal I couldn't pass up," Dunagan said, adding that she looked for a site in the West End because rent there is typically cheaper. "The landlord owns the florist in front of my space. It's kind of like a mom and pop shop, so I'm really excited."
Dunagan said her lease starts Sept. 24, and she'll focus on opening the production kitchen before building out a storefront within the next eight to 10 months.
While working on the project, Dunagan said she will continue to take college classes and work as a pastry chef at The 502 Bar and Bistro, where she hopes to learn skills needed to pursue her own shop.
"I've been there almost two months now," Dunagan said about the Prospect restaurant. "... I've worked in a custom cake shop and a coffee shop, but I wanted to know what it was like to work in a restaurant. I feel like I should learn every aspect of what I'm doing."
To open her facility, Dunagan has launched a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $3,000 through donations toward purchasing a convection oven, freezer and other items.
Dunagan has unsuccessfully attempted to raise money to open a food truck before, but she said she hopes the lower goal will be more feasible.
"I'm taking the next step and would love to have some support," Dunagan said. "I'd love to get into the Portland community and be part of the revitalization."
Reach reporter Bailey Loosemore at 502-582-4646 or bloosemore@courier-journal.com
SUPPORT EM'S DELIGHTS
Emie Dunagan has launched a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $3,000 toward purchasing a convection oven, freezer and other items for a production baking facility in Portland. To donate, visit gofundme.com/emsdelightsbakery.