It’s Christmas time, and I want to write about items I carry in my space at The Marketplace of Locust. I am focusing on Made in America! First, let me explain where I am located! As of March 2022, Laurie Bakke’s Kitchen space is located within The Marketplace on Locust. You will find kitchen and entertaining items, from olive oils to tea towels, copper measuring cups, beautiful platters, cookbooks, my cookbook, specialty gourmet foods, and much more.
I am lucky to be a part of what Ilsa Tolles, the owner of The Marketplace on Locust, started many years ago. Her store is a beautiful business filled with furniture, home decor, lamps, Christmas decorations, pillows, and much more.
Come and visit me and all the booths at The Marketplace on Locust!
Today, I am writing a blog post highlighting the products I buy, Made in America! Yes, made in the good, old USA, which I am very proud to say. My customers love it!
I’ll start with my long relationships through my years!
First, I met Max Blackman of Holy Smoked Olive Oil at the Atalanta Gift Show, where I purchased two bottles of Smoked Olive Oil from him. I have carried Holy Smoke products through every venture in my career, and I cook daily with all the products and have many recipes using Holy Smoke products.
Max and his partner wanted simple, delicious, unique, healthy smoked foods that everyone could enjoy. With this, they created their first product, Holy Smoke Smoked Olive Oil.
Second, I found the best toffee ever! Griff’s Toffee, made in Durham, North Carolina, is a bestseller. The owner’s father and husband, Griff Graves, was the first and biggest fan of the Toffee. Griff’s spent countless hours over the kitchen stove to create a toffee that the father would love, and now, in his memory, they share it with us!
The original toffee recipe was the family’s mother-in-law’s; she, my husband, my brother-in-law, and I all work as part of the family business. Griff’s Toffee donates a portion of proceeds from all of their toffee sales to the Ovarian Cancer fund established in her memory, Dina’s Dynasty! A long-guarded secret family recipe keeps it all alive.
More Great Stocking Stuffers and Gifts!
So, I will start from the top left picture!
- Swedish Dishcloths by Rockpaperflower are made in San Aelsomas, California. Rockpaperflower is dedicated to creating sustainable, eco-friendly items in how they are made and function. Plus, for every eco-friendly item sold, we donate to Ocean Conservancy and its mission to protect the ocean from today’s most significant global challenges.
- Dick Taylor Chocolates is a small company in New York.
- Hongar Farms flavored Olive Oils are made in Tucker, Georgia. Hongar Farms oils bring unique and delicious infused flavors from garlic, thyme, rosemary, and oregano that “Tastes as good as it looks.” Their signature herb stems are bought fresh from the local farmers’ market and are slowly and naturally dehydrated to retain maximum flavor. Hongar Farms oils are all-natural and contain no artificial flavors.
- Whisky Elements is made in Portland, Oregon. Use Time & Oak Elements in any spirit to improve flavor, remove toxins, and accelerate aging in 24 hours. Our flagship product, the Whiskey Element, is made of 100% all-natural American White Oak and is scientifically proven to age spirits 5-10 years in as little as 24 hours! It is used for many spirits like whiskey, bourdon, tequila, vodka, rum, and gin–producing smoother spirits by enhancing the traditional barrel-aged flavor (and removing toxins that cause a burning sensation, masking all those subtle flavors in your favorite alcohol).
- Poppy Popcorn is from our very own Asheville, NC. Ginger, the owner, always wanted to keep her business local, homegrown and fresh. Popcorn believes in using only the best ingredients. They spend way too much time thinking up flavor combinations and making way too many batches of popcorn to get those recipes just right. You will find flavors that are savory and sweet.
- Beautifully hand-craved rolling pins from Gia Roma made in Auburn, NY. The pins make the perfect gift for someone who loves to bake! A great item for kids to use during baking, as they have so much fun with it. Gia Roma focuses on eco-friendly & USA made. A portion of all sales orders goes to a local Domestic Abuse Shelter for Women and Children.
- Capital Candy Jar, a small company in Washington, DC, makes Peppermint Bark. The candies are made by hand in small batches. Capital Candy Jar products are found in gourmet stores all over the USA.
- River Birch Candles was founded on the belief that not all candles were created equal. Hand-poured holiday-scented candles made in Dallas, Texas. This belief has inspired the owners to create safe, natural products for all to use while helping those in need. This belief has inspired the owners to create safe, natural products for all to use while helping those in need. For each candle sold, they donate one meal through Feeding America.
- Oliver and Sinclair Chocolates make the most delicious Duck Fat and Salt and Vinegar Caramels in Nashville, Tennessee. Duck Fat Caramels, collaborations with other Southern makers such as Allen Benton for Duck Far caramels. They have incredible flavor and creaminess, and you must try to understand the taste.
- I found Breadtopia’s, made in Fairfield, Iowa, sourdough starter to make bread, pancakes, cakes, etc. Breadtopians are what you might call pragmatic bread freaks. We live to push the envelope in baking the best possible bread that you can make in a standard home kitchen.
I am wishing you a Happy Holiday Season of Joy!