New bakery opening in Chelsea

Story and Photos by Elizabeth Richardson.

Some of you might remember Kim and Saing Yam as the previous owners of the Dexter Bakery and current owners of the Pinckney Bakery.

Well, soon, you will also get to know them as owners of the Chelsea Bakery.

Kim Yam says she hopes the new downtown bakery will be open soon in the former Glee location on Main Street.

She says the equipment has been ordered and they expect it will be in by the end of the month, so, no official date for a grand opening … yet.

The husband and wife, and their children, plan to keep both bakeries open and serve the same tasty donuts, fritters, cupcakes, pretzels and other specialty goodies at holiday time, regulars to the Pinckney Bakery have come to know and love.

They plan to keep the same prices – so a donut is 90 cents or buy a full sheet cake for $39.99. The Yam’s plan to have yummy items for every budget and great coffee, too. Kim Yam says she expects the Chelsea community to ask for some specialty items, so, don’t be afraid to make suggestions.

They do plan to hire a few employees for the front of the bakery, but in the beginning, they will open with the current staff, which consists of family and friends. Their children help out when not in school.

The Yams came to America from Cambodia in 1979, and bought the Dexter Bakery in 1994, and opened the Pinckney in 2009. The husband and wife want to give back to a country and a community, which has done so much for them over the years.

When they arrived on US shores, it was the Salvation Army that came to their aid, giving them coats.Refugees from a war raging in their homeland, through countless hours of hard work, they have realized the American dream and the whole family is very thankful and feels blessed.

Kim Yam says she’s never met a bad person and she never wants to forget the kindness of Americans.

The three children will help out with both operations when school allows. Her husband is, and always will be, the chief baker.

Their Pinckney bakery is a gathering place for the senior crowd on week days.  In fact, most everyone who walks into the bakery greets Kim by name, and she, in turn, responds in kind.

Once up and running, the Chelsea Bakery will be open Monday-Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m the same hours of their Pinckney Bakery.