Reimagined Mackenzies Bakery opens in Vicksburg
The Mill at Vicksburg owner gives public a taste of what’s to come with new retail and wholesale bakery
(Vicksburg, MI) – The wait is over for baked-good lovers across Southwest Michigan who, for a year, have gone without their favorite artisanal products from the former MacKenzie’s Bakery in Kalamazoo. While the recipes, smells, and even some staff will be the same, patrons will now find a reimagined Mackenzies in historic downtown Vicksburg, just 12 miles south of Kalamazoo. The Mill at Vicksburg visionary Chris Moore purchased the former Kalamazoo bakery almost one year ago to the date of this week’s April 14 grand opening.
Moore is heavily invested in Vicksburg’s future, including transforming the 1,700 SF space at 103 E. Prairie Street into a charming bakery storefront that offers artisanal breads, cookies, muffins, jams, and coffee. The intent is to attract more people to the historic downtown area with desirable products while showing visitors the vision to revitalize shuttered spaces into aesthetically pleasing business opportunities that will benefit the 3,400-person village for generations to come.
The new Vicksburg location serves as a customer-facing bakery and includes plans for a wholesale operation. Upon opening, Mackenzies Bakery will contribute to the vibrancy of the charming, 137-year-old buildings by offering a walk-in storefront where patrons can grab scratch-baked breads, including the popular Pretzel, Struan, Crispy Italian, and Paesano, as well as a selection of cookies, muffins, and beverages.
The cornerstone project for Vicksburg native Moore is the multi-year, $100 million renovation of a former paper mill on the Village’s west end into a mixed-use attraction named The Mill at Vicksburg. With that project being several years in the making, Moore has been determined to pursue some smaller projects in Vicksburg that pair well with the Mill’s destination goals.
“I fondly remember walking with grade school classmates to downtown Vicksburg with a quarter in hand excited to buy a turnover from Otto’s Bakery,” said Chris Moore. “My hope is that a visit to Mackenzies Bakery will create a new generation’s worth of memories for residents and visitors in our hometown.”
The bakery’s renewed interior is a nod to the past Kalamazoo bakery and businesses that once operated in 103 E. Prairie St. The modern, elevated space offers a professional-grade production kitchen and retail storefront. To ensure continuity through the transition, Moore engaged former owner John MacKenzie to provide consultation.
“Chris Moore and his team have really captured the essence of a small-town bakery while incorporating modern functionality,” said former owner John MacKenzie after touring the nearly completed site in March. “The space has so much natural light and charm, along with the best baking oven in the industry. It just brings a smile to my face knowing the legacy continues with this Vicksburg location.”
In addition to engaging the former owner, Moore also hired two long-time MacKenzie’s employees to manage daily operations-General Manager Jill Younger and Head Baker Cris Najar.
Younger, a resident of Portage, began her career at MacKenzie’s Bakery in 2000 at the retail counter learning the importance of taking care of customers. She is thrilled to continue the MacKenzie’s legacy in the Village of Vicksburg where she will welcome a new community of bakery enthusiasts.
“Our passion for this craft will be apparent,” said Younger. “I promise that no matter how you interact with Mackenzies that you will get delicious baked goods and service that makes you feel like you’ve found a home away from home.”
Najar, a resident of Kalamazoo, is a skilled baker with a passion for incorporating art into pastry-making. He started his career in the culinary industry, working at a variety of restaurants in his hometown of Chicago before making the switch to baking-a practice he fell in love with.
“I am thrilled to return to the kitchen and continue the tradition of creating Mackenzie’s bread and treats,” said Najar. “I can’t wait to engage with patrons and share our high-quality, seasonal offerings in an environment that will rival major culinary venues!”
The grand opening is a point of pride for Moore and his Vicksburg-based project teams, as the space was painstakingly renovated and, where possible, restored to its original and historic charm. The effort to restore the 103 building is part of a larger community-based endeavor to have the downtown area authorized on the National Register of Historic Places list.
“We’re very excited to open the doors to Mackenzies and show the community our commitment to restoring these wonderful downtown buildings while contributing to its vibrancy,” said Jackie Koney, Chief Operating Officer of Paper City Development-Moore’s Vicksburg-based company. “Frederick Construction, our team, and so many other partners invested so much time to carefully design and build a space that will stand the test of time. We’re eager to get baking and bring smiles to the faces of everyone who walks through the doors!”
For hours, directions, and additional information, visit www.mackenziesbakery.com.
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