From the get-go, Bridges 120 has been more than just a smoothie shop – it's been a dream of creating a community hub. Back in 2015, as my sister and I rolled past the old Mole Hole shop in Hartford, she tossed out the idea: "You know what this town needs? A cozy spot for soup, sandwiches, or maybe even a bakery!" And just like that, the seed of an idea was planted.
But here's the kicker – I knew, first and foremost, that the underlying dream was to have a place to gather. A spot where kids and teens could roll in, hang out, and parents could feel good about it. A space for adults to catch up with friends or hold a meeting. It was about creating a vibrant, welcoming community space.
Now, with a sweet tooth for donuts (or donITS, as my kids tease me for saying), a bakery seemed like the perfect fit. Small hiccup, though – I'm not exactly a baking maestro. Over the next five years, my dream began to take shape. I started asking myself, "What do I need to know if I really want to make this happen?"
Enter a game-changing visit to Cranky Al's in Wauwatosa, suggested by a friend's daughter. The owner's nephew posed a wild question: "Ever thought about selling smoothies?" Initially, I brushed it off, thinking bakery and smoothies were an odd couple.
Fast forward to a pivotal meeting with a friend who knows the ropes. She suggested turning this bakery dream into a non-profit. Non-profit? I didn't know much about it, but curiosity got the better of me, and I dove into the world of non-profits.
Now, let's zoom ahead to 2019. I'm laid up in bed, binge-watching "Secret Millionaire." The millionaire keeps preaching, "In business, learn to pivot." It echoed in my head. Meanwhile, the bakery was still a distant dream, a 'what if' for a couple of decades from now.
Then, on New Year's Eve 2019, it hit me like a ton of donuts – it was time to turn this dream into reality. "Do it scared," I thought, remembering the show. "Learn to pivot, make smoothies, and hey, why not make it a non-profit?" It all clicked into place.
On January 1, 2020, I took the leap, transforming my dream of a bakery into the community hub we now call Bridges 120. Join us on this delicious journey, where dreams, smoothies, and a dash of courage collide!
