Life is sweet for Jen Fowler and Gabriela Schoch.

The two operate Sweet Leaf Bakery & Cafe, which opened in the Mall at Piccadilly on Nov. 22. The business was inspired by Fowler鈥檚 baking.

Schoch explained she and Fowler worked together prior to opening Sweet Leaf.

鈥淛en would come in with fabulous baking all the time and we were just eating this and one day basically said we should open up a bakery鈥�,鈥� said Schoch. 鈥淗er baking is just too good to keep from the public and there was high demand and we started doing our homework.鈥�

The two had wanted to open a bakery in Salmon Arm鈥檚 downtown, but a location wasn鈥檛 available. A space was available at the mall, and with Starbucks closing its mall store to move across Highway 1, Schoch and Fowler saw an opportunity for a bakery/cafe.

Research for the bakery cafe involved visits to similar establishments in 91大黄鸭. Schoch and Fowler decided on a European-style bakery with unique offerings.

鈥淲e tried to stay away from what everybody else had, not getting into pies, not getting into cinnamon buns,鈥� said Schoch.

A photographer in the Shuswap for 15 years, Fowler was ready for the transition, explaining she is a self-taught baker who is in her comfort zone when in the kitchen.

鈥淚 think there was always little waves of 鈥榃hat are we doing?,鈥欌�� said Fowler of the new venture. 鈥淏ut I think we鈥檝e always been excited for the adventure of it and it鈥檚 something that our community needs.鈥�

Schoch and Fowler endeavour to use locally sourced fresh ingredients for the cafe and Fowler鈥檚 mouth-watering creations, which include everything from cookies, cupcakes, muffins and macarons, to elaborate cakes. Par baked baguettes, sourdoughs and other bread items provided by Two Donkeys Bakery of 91大黄鸭 are finished fresh daily. The coffee beans are locally roasted.

Regarding cakes, in addition to what is for sale at the cafe, Fowler also accepts orders for custom creations.

Asked about the name, Sweet Leaf, it鈥檚 what Schoch and Fowler decided on after one of Fowler鈥檚 daughters (who help out at the cafe) designed a logo for the business, which includes a green circle with leaves on the top left.

鈥淲e based this off of the tree of life and the family tree and the fact that it鈥檚 a family-run business and instead of having a tree in our name, we thought we鈥檇 take a part of that, 鈥� said Fowler. 鈥淎nd since we鈥檙e based on sweet things, Sweet Leaf.鈥�

The Sweet Leaf Bakery & Cafe is open Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit Sweet Leaf鈥檚 Facebook page.

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