A Sweet Oasis in North Beach

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- July 6, 2005 -- Looking for a place to sit for while, enjoy a cool gelato, iced coffee, healthy garden salad or ooey-gooey cinnamon roll? Sweet Sue’s Bake Shop & Coffee Bar in North Beach has just what you need to make your day a little more enjoyable.

When Susan and Gary Dzurec first embarked on their mission to create a bright and friendly coffee and bake shop in North Beach, they set their goals high. Susan said, “I wanted to create a meeting place for friends – a place where people could come and rest their souls while enjoying a really good cup of coffee, specialty sandwich, or truly decadent pastry.” In fact, the idea for the Bake Shop & Coffee Bar grew from Susan’s extraordinary abilities in creating wedding-cake magic. After more than 18 years of catering and baking specialty cakes and desserts, Susan thought a retail store with coffees, breakfast and lunch items was a natural evolution for her talents.

By teaming with her daughter, Lauren Lebkicker, a professionally trained chef in her own right, and her husband Gary, who lends his business and management skills, the trio created a recipe for success. Lauren’s specialty creations like Eggplant Parmesan Quiche, Torta Rustica, Southwest Turkey Wrap and Veggie-wich on Foccacia Bread keep the lunch crowd streaming in the door. “We have a nice niche market here,” said Gary. “Our shop is in a great location, our lunch and breakfast selections are tasty and unique and the ambiance provides something more special than a typical chain or fast-food restaurant.”

Business has been brisk for the little shop, open since May 14, and seems to increase with each passing week. With foot traffic and tourism on the rise in the twin beaches area, the Dzurec’s expect the trend to continue. “Word-of-mouth has been our best marketing tool so far,” says Gary. “I think people in this area were hungry – literally and figuratively – for something a little bit different.”

Susan admits that there is lot going on in her kitchen these days, but is pleased with the success they’ve seen so far. “I still enjoy baking the wedding cakes,” she said. “There’s really no joy like seeing the look on a bride’s face when the centerpiece of her special day arrives. But I’m also happy just chatting with our regular customers over a cup of Latte here in North Beach. I just love it here. The key to our success so far is our great staff.”

Sweet Sue’s Bake Shop & Coffee Bar is open Tuesday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and closed on Monday. For more information, call 410.286.8041 or visit them at 7th & Bay Streets, North Beach, Md.

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com