Reprint from Destination Downriver

Destination Downriver loves to tell the success stories of small businesses in our thriving communities! Sugar Island Baking Company began in Christy Brinkley’s Home in Gibraltar in 2013. She had been sharing her love of baking with family and friends for many years and was encouraged by some friends to start her own business by creating a Facebook page and offering some items for sale. She was blessed with many wonderful customers and pretty quickly became limited by the capacity of a home kitchen. In 2021, the opportunity to open a brick-and-mortar in Downtown Flat Rock presented itself at a time in Christy’s life when the last of her 4 sons were graduating and life was opening up in a way that would allow her to dedicate her time to growing her small business. She took the leap with the support and expertise of a very good friend, Michelle Kohler, who has been by her side from the beginning.

           “Owning a small business is very hard work. I compare it to having a child in the sense that you are aware that it is going to be hard work and you mentally assent and prepare for it – but it is SO MUCH harder than you imagined. But also, extremely rewarding.  We are grateful to be a part of the Flat Rock community – they’ve been very good to us and we’ve made some great friends!”

If you need baked goods for any occasion, Try Sugar Island in Flat Rock! And remember to support your local shops!