HAE’s Bakery and Coffee Shoppe will open its first brick-and-mortar location on Oct. 19, although plans for additional locations are already in the works.

Owners Chris and Amy Benad purchased 921 W. Jefferson St. in January and demolished the former Family Dollar building on the site. Amy Benad told SBJ at the time, “We originally started with a bakery idea. We wanted to bring a simple bakery to town with cookies and pies, and we do everything nut-free.”

Amy Benad started baking from home during the pandemic and used a cottage food license to sell her baked goods at the First Sunday Midwest Bazaar, along with providing treats for birthday parties and office gatherings.

Once she decided to transition to a brick-and-mortar business, the couple wanted to add coffee and traveled to Seattle, ultimately partnering with FULCRUM Roasters.

And while the menu will include plenty of baked good such as bagels, muffins, pastries, cookies, cakes and pies by the slice, there will also be lunch and dinner options.

“We’ll have a daily soup special, plus salads and sandwiches,” said Chris Benad. “There will also be grab-and-go food items, because we’re really targeting people who work downtown and in the medical district.”

HAE’s Bakery and Coffee Shoppe offers both indoor dining and patio seating, plus a private room for special events. The site will have a double drive-thru window and is accessible from both Madison and Jefferson streets.

Hours of operation are 5 a.m.to 8 p.m., seven days a week.