Cimarron, KS Population: 1,977
Through the support of the Small Business Development Center and Network Kansas, The Bake Shoppe and Downtown Coffeehouse received funding to renovate and offer a new community “third space”.
The Bake Shoppe and Downtown Coffeehouse GrowKS Spotlight Along Highway 50 in Cimarron, two businesses, The Bake Shoppe and Downtown Coffeehouse, have become more than just places to grab a coffee or scone. They’ve grown into a beloved “third place” for locals, commuters, and travelers alike, thanks to the Sommers family’s dedication and the strong sense of community they’ve helped cultivate. The Bake Shoppe began humbly in 2007, when Nancy Sommers and a friend started selling baked goods on Friday afternoons in front of their local grocery store.
Celebrating
“We both said, ‘This’ll probably only last six months,’” Nancy said, remembering the thoughts she and her husband Keith shared after taking Rodger up on the offer. Instead, their fresh-made baked goods quickly became a mainstay in the community.
These kinds of businesses create places where people can November 2020, Jayden belong, connect, InSommers, son of Nancy and Keith, and take pride in added a new layer to the family business by turning his passion where they live. for coffee into a full-fledged
Two years later, Nancy began offering her baked goods at farmer’s markets in Cimarron and nearby towns. Rodger Davis, a family friend, saw the potential in their family business and in 2019, offered the Sommers an
9 21
opportunity to open a brick-and-mortar shop at 108 S. Main Street.
years
venture. What began as The Bake Shoppe lobby has since grown into Downtown Coffeehouse, which he now runs with his wife, Marlene. There they roast beans in-house and share their blends with shops and households.