Chelsea Bakery opens in former Glee space

The red open sign was lit in the front window of Chelsea Bakery, which officially opened Monday in the former Glee location on Main Street.

Customers were greeted by a smiling Kim Yam and display cases filled with more than 45 varieties of baked goods ranging from donuts to fritters, pretzels to brownies and cookies.

“This is a place for people to hang out, feel like they belong; it’s the community’s and everyone’s welcome. I don’t feel like an owner, I’m just the worker because I want this to belong to the community,” said Kim Yam, who owns the new bakery with her husband, Saing Yam.

One early customer said, “Are you as excited as I am; they’re open.”

While for Chelsea residents Jackie and Roger Liebman, a trip to the new bakery was a great way to start their week.

“It’s great, especially since others have closed; it’s nice to see something new come in and the coffee’s great,” Jackie Liebman said.

“You’ll see us again soon, that’s for sure,” said Roger Liebman, who bought one plain donut, then ordered a second one.

Kim and Saing Yam are no strangers to the bakery business, having bought and operated their first bakery beginning in 1994.

The husband and wife and their children, plan to keep both bakeries open and a sweet treat can be purchased for 90 cents.

Kim Yam said previously that she expects the Chelsea community to ask for some specialty items, so, don’t be afraid to try the current ones and make suggestions for baked goodies you might like to have her carry in the future.

She does plan some specialty items for the holidays and expects a robust business during the fall when tailgaters arrive to purchase pretzels as they did when the couple had their bakery in Dexter.

The Yams came to America from Cambodia in 1979, and bought the Dexter Bakery in 1994, sold it, and opened the Pinckney Bakery in 2009. That site is a gathering place for the senior crowd on week days, she says, while hoping that soon Chelsea’s morning and afternoon coffee groups will become regulars at the Chelsea location.

Coffee is $1 for a small cup and $1.50 for a large one and there’s also soda, juices and water available for sale as well.

The Chelsea Bakery will be open Monday-Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. , Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All baked goods are made fresh each morning and they’ll have birthday sheet cakes, cupcakes and other goodies available by special order.