A new bakery and coffee shop threw open its doors to customers today, Tuesday, and is aiming to be the toast of the town.
The Happy Cinnamon Artisan Bakery in Market Street, Nailsworth is run by Flora Ekla, along with her mum, Anita Hlopkane Szijgyarto and step-dad Tamas Hlopka.
“Happy Cinnamon Bakery is a true family business. My journey into the world of baking started during my university years when I worked in hospitality for some pocket money. Over time, I climbed the ladder, managing a couple of bars, bakeries, and cafes,” explained Flora.
“The baking passion in our family began with a personal challenge. When I was younger, I had terrible stomach problems and couldn’t eat many things. My mum researched and discovered that sourdough is actually very good for your gut. They started baking bread at home, which unlocked a passion for baking in our family. They mastered home baking as much as possible and decided to take it one step further by enrolling in baking school. They then opened a micro bakery in Budapest.
“However, since my brother and I are living in Gloucestershire, they decided to move a bit closer to us, leading to the birth of Happy Cinnamon Bakery here in Nailsworth.”
Why Happy Cinnamon? “This is a funny story. While I could say it’s inspired by the warm, comforting feeling that a fresh cinnamon roll brings, the truth is a bit more personal. My partner and I went through a big Gerry Cinnamon phase and became huge fans of his music. It reminds us of a very happy period in our relationship. One day, we started playing around with words and ‘Happy Cinnamon’ was born.”
All the bread is made using traditional sourdough methods, with a sourdough starter recipe that is 107 years old, originating from Italy: “We aim to offer a variety of breads to cater to everyone’s needs, including country loaves, seeded loaves, sandwich loaves, ciabatta, rolls, and focaccia.
“We bake all our products on site. This allows us to ensure the freshest, highest quality baked goods for our customers every day. Nailsworth offers a wonderful sense of community and charm that aligns perfectly with our family business values. We were drawn to its vibrant, supportive local atmosphere and its appreciation for artisanal products. It’s also conveniently close to where my partner and I live, making it an ideal location for us to bring our bakery dream to life.”
The bakery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 8am to 4pm.
Pictures and video by Matt Bigwood
