In the early 1960's John and Madeleine McCabe emigrated to Toronto, from the Yorkshire Dales of England. By profession, John worked as a corporate accountant while Madeleine worked in a secretarial position. After several years, the stresses of John's work started to become an issue with his health, so they decided it was time to make a career change.
They discovered a quaint little town about an hours drive north of the city, called Greenbank. A small chicken farm and Gas Bar business owned and operated by Everett and Kay Hook was for sale. With the prospect and excitement of owning their own business, they decided that this would be a great opportunity. Everett Hook sold his chickens at the St. Lawrence market in Toronto every Saturday, so John set out to learn the trade and continued the tradition. Madeline's mother, May Greenshow, was visiting from Yorkshire, England, and when she realized she couldn't buy a good loaf of fresh-baked bread anywhere around, she suggested her daughter and son-in-law start a bakery. She wrote down some of her recipes, and John and Madeleine started baking.
In 1968 "The Chicken Coop Bakery" had begun. They baked from scratch using only the best ingredients. They sold breads, buns, tarts, tea biscuits, and cakes. While this little country Bakery/Gas Bar was productive; they decided they could also sell their baked goods in Toronto at the St. Lawrence Farmer's Market. Every Saturday morning John would drive to the city and set up his stand and sell, while at home Madeleine looked after their store and young children. Throughout the years, the Chicken Coop Bakers became a very popular place for cottagers to stop in and load up with goodies for their weekend trek up north.
Meanwhile at the market in Toronto, John developed a great clientele, which included famous local actors, TV news personalities, hockey players, politicians, and novelist Eric Right, who mentioned "The Chicken Coop Bakery" in one of his books. The Bakery has had many media mentions over the years, in local newspapers, the Old Telegram and the Toronto Star to mention a few. Global TV's Terry Culbert, interviewed the Bakery and featured it on the 6 pm news, some years back.
When you go into the Chicken Coop Bakery today, you'll be amazed! They bake every day, so as a customer you always know there's something "HOT" coming out of the oven. They bake a full line of homemade breads, buns, cakes, cookies, squares, muffins, pies, dog biscuits, reserves, chutneys and more.
The biggest addition that's being cooked up daily are the homemade Entrees called "IT'S ALL ABOUT DINNER". A last count there are a range of over 50 different heat and serve meals. A few examples are: Shepherd's Pie, Lasagna, Curried Chicken, Pasta dishes, Vegetarian Dinners, a variety of Meat Pies, Quiches, Soups and more. These provide a healthy, nutritious convenient meal for lunches or dinners for everyone.
Customers come from all over. Toronto to Haliburton and all places in between, and even some from the United States. Everyone knows where the "best bakers" is.
Celebrating their 40th year in business, come and visit the Chicken Coop Bakery, at Greenbank on Hwy #12 and experience the goodness of old-fashioned homemade baking. The Chicken Coop Bakery opens the beginning of April through to Christmas time. Open 5 days a week, Thursdays to Mondays.
The Chicken Coop Bakery
John and Madeleine McCabe
19980 Hwy 12
Greenbank ON, L0C 1B0
(905) 985-2416
