Walk into Plate & Pour Bakery in Jefferson City and you'll be greeted by blooming flowers and plants, a sign that says, "You are welcome here," the smiling faces of the family trio behind the counter and a display of pastries and desserts.
The cozy, welcoming environment is filled with people studying with their laptops and notebooks, chatting and laughing with friends, sipping on lattes and enjoying various sweet treats. They're surrounded by homey decorations - signs with positive words like "thankful" and "happy," plants in rustic pots and framed artwork of butterflies.
Her eyes roaming the array of macaroons in bright colors, breakfast breads dripped with icing, cakes studded with berries, and cookies the size of her head, a customer says she needs a minute as she struggles to choose just one tasty treat.
"I know; take your time," says Laura Whitmore, who runs the business with her husband, Roger, and their son, Tanner.
Plate & Pour Bakery opened Nov. 15 at 400 E. High St.
"It's been very busy - very well-received," Laura said.
Along with coffee, tea and hot chocolate, the bakery typically offers a variety of breakfast breads, scones, macaroons, cakes, cookies and other sweet surprises.
The idea to open a bakery came to the Whitmores years ago when Laura ordered cupcakes from a successful, nationwide cupcake delivery company as a Valentine's Day gift for her children.
"When I tasted it - and I knew that company was really successful - I was like, 'The stuff I make is so much better than this,'" she said, her voice hushing to an almost-whisper.
Realizing they could create great products and a great environment, the Whitmores knew they had to open a bakery.
"My husband and I both, as well as our son, also really value relationships and being able to have a place where people can gather and talk and be, so I think it's a combo of knowing we could put out a really great product but also creating a space that is peaceful for people - a place to gather, a place to just be," Laura said.
Originally from Colorado, they owned a bakery there briefly until moving to San Diego, California, for Roger's job. Before moving to Jefferson City in January, Roger was a pastor for 30 years, and Laura was a pediatric nurse for 26. But opening another bakery was always in the back of their minds.
"We moved here to be with our grandbabies, and we were just ready to do something different in life," Laura said.
On Plate & Pour's opening day, Laura was ecstatic when a student came in to grab a treat and study at one of the tables. At that moment, she knew her vision had come to life.
"That was like my mission - to have people come and sit and study and meet and talk, to just have people utilize this space, to be a place that they can come and do things like that," she said.
Her goal, she said, is to maintain that atmosphere.
"Beyond that, I don't know," she said. "I don't know what will happen with this little business. We're happy to be open; we're trusting to see where God takes it. I want this to be a quality place, I want our product to be amazing, and I want people to want to be in this space."
Having their dream come to fruition has been incredible, Laura said, especially with the support they've received from the community.
"When we set out to do this, we thought, 'Okay, I think it's going to be good,' but you have those doubts, like, 'Is it really going to be good? Is it really going to be well-received?'" she said. "The feedback and support from Jefferson City has been amazing."
Plate & Pour Bakery is open 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays. To learn more, visit plateandpourbakery.com.
Know of any business happenings around Jefferson City? Let us know at bizbeat@ newstribune.com or 573-761-0243.