CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – When Rob DeBlois purchased Bun King Bakery in 1987, he quickly discovered the operation was in disarray.
DeBlois faced bankruptcy after just two years, but he was not prepared to see his investment crumble.
He sold three satellite stores, focusing all of his efforts on making a success with the Brackley Point Road location.
DeBlois became a “self-taught baker’’. For years, he started his days at 4 a.m., serving as owner/operator/head baker.
In the early 1990s, he rebranded the business as Buns & Things Bakery, fully severing any ties with Bun King.
Gradually, the bakery grew in size and prosperity.
The past decade has been particularly profitable.
“I said to somebody it took 18 years to become an overnight success,’’ says DeBlois.
Today, the bakery sells between 400 and 500 loaves of bread daily, plus many other baked goods.
Eighty per cent of business is walk-in with some customers coming in every single day. The remaining 20 per cent of goods baked at Buns & Things are sold to hotels and restaurants.
More than three and a half tonnes of flour is used each week.
DeBlois and his wife, Elaine, who has been cashier, accountant, dishwasher and cleaning lady at Buns & Things, are quick to credit the quality work of a loyal staff numbering close to 30 as one major key to the business thriving.
Bill DeBlois simply chocks up the success of Buns & Things to his parents’ hard work.
“They built an incredible business,’’ he says.
Now Bill, 34, who is married to a teacher named Michelle, is ready to roll up his sleeves to take over the operation.
He left his job in Ontario, where he worked for a large company that sells and restores classic cars, so he could be his own businessman in his home province.
Bill also notes there was a sentimental pull to carry on a family business that put food on his plate while growing up in Stratford and helped pay for a university education.
While he has a business degree, Bill saw the need to spend the past two years learning the ropes with dad in charge. He has tried his hand at all the positions in the bakery to get a complete feel for the operation.
“I think having an understanding of it at as many levels as possible is huge,’’ he says.
Rob, who for years provided his trademark alliterative radio commercials, says he and Elaine are thrilled to have their son set to take charge with the keys to the business legally changing hands on Jan. 1.
“It means a lot to both of us,’’ Rob says, noting he has turned down some tempting offers by potential buyers.
“I will hopefully kind of fade away (from the business)…I don’t want to be kind of here while (Bill) is looking over his shoulder.’’
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – When Rob DeBlois purchased Bun King Bakery in 1987, he quickly discovered the operation was in disarray.
DeBlois faced bankruptcy after just two years, but he was not prepared to see his investment crumble.
He sold three satellite stores, focusing all of his efforts on making a success with the Brackley Point Road location.
DeBlois became a “self-taught baker’’. For years, he started his days at 4 a.m., serving as owner/operator/head baker.
In the early 1990s, he rebranded the business as Buns & Things Bakery, fully severing any ties with Bun King.
Gradually, the bakery grew in size and prosperity.
The past decade has been particularly profitable.
“I said to somebody it took 18 years to become an overnight success,’’ says DeBlois.
Today, the bakery sells between 400 and 500 loaves of bread daily, plus many other baked goods.
Eighty per cent of business is walk-in with some customers coming in every single day. The remaining 20 per cent of goods baked at Buns & Things are sold to hotels and restaurants.
More than three and a half tonnes of flour is used each week.
DeBlois and his wife, Elaine, who has been cashier, accountant, dishwasher and cleaning lady at Buns & Things, are quick to credit the quality work of a loyal staff numbering close to 30 as one major key to the business thriving.
Bill DeBlois simply chocks up the success of Buns & Things to his parents’ hard work.
“They built an incredible business,’’ he says.
Now Bill, 34, who is married to a teacher named Michelle, is ready to roll up his sleeves to take over the operation.
He left his job in Ontario, where he worked for a large company that sells and restores classic cars, so he could be his own businessman in his home province.
Bill also notes there was a sentimental pull to carry on a family business that put food on his plate while growing up in Stratford and helped pay for a university education.
While he has a business degree, Bill saw the need to spend the past two years learning the ropes with dad in charge. He has tried his hand at all the positions in the bakery to get a complete feel for the operation.
“I think having an understanding of it at as many levels as possible is huge,’’ he says.
Rob, who for years provided his trademark alliterative radio commercials, says he and Elaine are thrilled to have their son set to take charge with the keys to the business legally changing hands on Jan. 1.
“It means a lot to both of us,’’ Rob says, noting he has turned down some tempting offers by potential buyers.
“I will hopefully kind of fade away (from the business)…I don’t want to be kind of here while (Bill) is looking over his shoulder.’’
