As Emily Cooke walked into her storefront for the first time she was overjoyed as she had been waiting for this day for over a year. She was excited to fill the Buttercup Bakery with the sweet smells of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and pies.
“Opening day was very surreal and like a dream come true,” said Cooke. “The anticipation for the first couple of customers to walk through the door was so great! I could barely sleep more than an hour the night before the grand opening.”
Cooke started baking at home when she was 16, and at the time it was merely a hobby that took over her mother’s kitchen. Little did she know that it would later turn into her own small business that would one day need to move into her own storefront.
Four years later, the orders continued to roll in from friends and family and that is when Cooke’s business page, “Sweet Treats by Emily” started. Her home kitchen soon became too small, and she began looking for a storefront location.
“I couldn’t imagine doing anything for “work” other than baking and knew that for my business to grow further I needed a storefront,” Cooke said.
After about a year, she found the perfect location in the heart of her hometown. Along with this storefront, came a new name for the business, Buttercup Bakehouse.
“I had been dreaming of owning a bakery since I was 16 and really didn’t think that would be a reality in less than 10 years,” said Cooke.
The Buttercup Bakehouse offers a variety of sweet and savory treats with a variety of breakfast items, drinks and desserts. Along with this, Cooke takes custom orders for almost any occasion with at least two weeks’ notice.
Cooke grew up in Maynardville and could not imagine growing her business any other place. From orders here and there to the farmer’s market to moving into a storefront, the Maynardville community has been there for her every step of the way.
After opening her storefront, the community has continued to be there for Cooke by visiting her bakehouse as well as giving her feedback on the baked goods. Cooke states that many people have lent a helping hand if she ever needed it.
Adventure is no stranger to Cooke as she often likes to change things up a bit as she enjoys trying new recipes and allowing the community to try something different.
“I love getting to try new recipes,” Cooke said. “Being able to switch up the menu weekly is so exciting to me.”
As Cooke looks to the future, she hopes to grow her business into a small café with lunch options. Along with this, she would like to add more days to her weekly business hours.
“I hope in the next five years I’ll have added many new ways to better serve my community,” Cooke said.
Anyone wanting to place a costume order can message the Buttercup Bakehouse on Instagram or Facebook or call the bakehouse at 865-745-2953. Customers can also find the weekly menu updates on Facebook.
The business is currently open on Thursdays and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Starting soon the bakehouse will be open five days a week.
Buttercup Bakehouse is at 3933 Maynardville Highway in Maynardville, across from Booker’s Marathon and Dyer’s Flooring.