Baker opening five businesses under one roof

n Bella Nita will be the first store to open.

Lynn Atkins/The Weekly Vista Anita Evans’ new business is actually five businesses under one roof. Bella Nita Bakery is also a cafe. Next door will be a candy store, a wedding consultant and an ice cream parlor.
Lynn Atkins/The Weekly Vista Anita Evans’ new business is actually five businesses under one roof. Bella Nita Bakery is also a cafe. Next door will be a candy store, a wedding consultant and an ice cream parlor.

It was nature that brought Anita Evans to Arkansas when she retired from her bakery business in Seattle, but while she loves the Natural State, she realized she wasn't quite ready for a rocking chair.

So Evans rented 3,200 square feet in the shopping center across from Sonic and opened a new business.

Bella Nita is actually not just one new business, it's several.

First there's the bakery. Evans has pies, cakes, breads, cookies and doughnuts for sale. It's a little bit of everything.

"Walmart has brought people here from all over," she explained. "We give them a taste of home."

Although she's only been open a few days, people are already telling her how happy they are to avoid the drive to Fayetteville for their treats.

The bakery will also be a cafe, with a small menu based on daily specials for breakfast and lunch.

Evans also plans to bake a line of dog treats and stock some dog accessories.

While a bakery/cafe might be enough to keep a retiree busy, Evans isn't stopping there. The storefront next to Bella Nita will soon open as a candy deli. The candy ranges from state-fair fare -- think caramel popcorn and cotton candy -- to fine, handmade chocolates and a variety of retro candy.

"We're trying to bring back childhood memories," she said, displaying an oversized whorly-pop.

The candy side of the business features a meeting room that customers can use for events. The meeting room is equipped with a projector and white board. The store will host special events and small fundraisers because Evans wants to become a part of the community.

Beyond the meeting room is a space set aside for wedding consultations. Evans will decorate the wedding cakes herself and she can also offer Cinderella carriages and carousel horses to rent for decorations.

Finally, there's an ice cream parlor featuring handmade ice cream, gelato, sorbetto and Italian ices. It's furnished with metal tables and chairs to make sharing a treat easy. Shakes and ice cream sodas will be available.

Both the ice cream parlor and the bakery serve Rocky Mountain Soda which is sweetened with agave. Flavors range from lemon-lime to sarsaparilla.

Evans said she's used to people with an interest in healthy living and she knows what they want and she's willing to help.

Evans wanted to open with eight employees, but she's found it's hard to find the people she needs. The ice cream parlor and the candy deli won't open until she has someone in place who can run each portion of the business.

Bella Nita Bakery has a website at www.bellanitabakery.com

General News on 07/26/2017