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This month's Downtown Spotlight is on the world famous Sluys' Bakery
Doughnuts – iced and glazed. Pastries with cream, nuts. Cookies, the size of your palm. Cakes with smooth and scrumptious frostings. Breads light and grain filled, handmade, all handmade. All with their stories and the stories of their Master Baker creators, Sluys’ Bakery in Poulsbo.
 In 1966 Marion Sluys brought his family to camp in Kitsap Memorial State Park. He found a bakery in downtown Poulsbo, and he talked with the owners about the for sale bakery. Soon, he left his two jobs in Bellingham and moved to Poulsbo with his recipes and oldest daughter. The rest of the Sluys family followed three months later and worked in the bakery, including Dan Sluys, who was in third grade at the time, but now partners with his dad in the business and also holds the title of Master Baker. A title he earned at his father’s side in 1990 when Marion and Dan flew down to California and went through two days of testing together - the first father and son team to pass on their first try and Dan, was the youngest to ever pass. Now, Dan does the baking and Marion consults on business decisions and helps move new recipes along.
Dan learned at Marion’s elbow, learned the intricacies of each recipe and the creative techniques. He learned how to blend ingredients into seamless mixtures and create new treats like Grandpa’s Favorite Cookies and the melted goodness that is Sluys’ maple icing – created for and taste tested by a loyal customer. He watched his father create the world famous Poulsbo Bread, and has created his own breads, like Barnaby, with its hint of apricot and Farmer’s Bread with its slightly sour taste, which is a result of soaking the oats for a few days. Brod was created when a Norwegian customer asked and asked for the Norwegian style of bread.
Daniel’s bread took four years of creative process, trying and failing. The recipe was inspired by a granola his mother made, and at first, it was heavy with grains and wouldn’t rise, it was weak. After four years of baking Marion suggested some changes to the recipe, and Daniel’s bread lifted and can be bought and tasted daily in the bakery.
 At 4:30am, every day, the doors open. Melinda Petrie runs the store, a store which is just as famous for its customer service as for its delicious goodies. Dan has received letters from all over about his employees. Even my boys have a favorite, Erik Miller, whom they have dubbed “The Doughnut Man”. However, work at Sluys begins much earlier, around 1:00am Dan and his group of bakers arrives. Dan looks over his records (five years deep), considers the weather, and sets the supply amounts for the day. Thomas Voltin, the real doughnut man, cooks up the amazing doughnut dough in high quality oils, the kind that stay on the outside of the doughnut rather than sinking inside. Then, Gerry Hewlett, who started twenty-two years ago as an eighteen year old janitor, watches over the other personally trained bakers and crafts the rest of the recipes with their handmade dough, icings, glazes, and fillings. Dan says that he couldn’t survive without his employees and all who shop at Sluys’ agree.
When I asked Dan about the future, he didn’t mention changes in how things are run or made. He talked about his concern for bakers everywhere with the price of ingredients rising and the dwindling supply of protein rich flours. He knows his loyal customers, some who make day long trips just to shop and eat, will continue to shop at Sluys’. He looks forward to baking for another generation of customers and to the innovative recipes which he will create in response to changes in available ingredients and the desires of customers.
When you come to downtown Poulsbo, Sluys’ Bakery is a must. It is the touch of Dutch in our Norwegian town. Please be sure to read below for events in downtown. And, look here at the beginning of May for another column. Until then, enjoy, and I hope to see you enjoying our town.
Weekly Events
Mondays
There is a writing workshop at The Poulsbohemian Coffee House. It might be full at the moment, so be sure to call and check for space and further information at 360-779-9199.
Tuesdays
Game Night at The Poulsbohemian Coffee House provides an evening of games for card sharks, Scrabble experts, Trivial Pursuit brains, chess strategists, and game lovers of all types; gallons of coffee will flow, goodies consumed, and terrific conversation, competition and rousing fun to be had for all from 7-8pm. There is a $5 cover charge. For more info call The Poulsbohemian at 360-779-9199.
Liberty Bay Bookstore hosts the Day Time Book Group. They always meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. The group chooses a variety of fiction, non-fiction and sometimes classic reads. You don't have to have read the books to come. Just jump in on the discussion. Call for the title of this month’s discussion book - 360-779-5909.
Wednesdays
Liberty Bay Bookstore hosts the Non-Fiction Book Group. This book group is for those who love to read non-fiction. The group meets at 10 a.m. every 3rd Wednesday of the month. Call for current book - 360-779-5909.
On Wednesdays, Sons of Norway invite one and all to attend a Norwegian lunch with sandwiches, desserts, beverages, and sometimes soup. The lunch begins at 11:00am and ends at 2:00pm.
Wednesdays are open-mic music nights at Tizley’s Europub. The mic opens at 8pm and stays open until 11pm, so grab your instrument or your best toe-tapping shoes and head over to Tizley’s. For further information call 360-394-0082.
Sons of Norway hosts Bingo in their Marine Room starting at 6:00pm. Can you imagine hearing your own voice holler out “BINGO!!” and winning the grand prize of $500.00?
On the first and third Wednesdays Heavenly Choices hosts a Reiki Circle. Jessa and Patti, Reiki Masters, welcome all people to their circles (regardless of level). The event is free and starts at 7pm.
Liberty Bay Bookstore hosts the Evening Book Group. The lively discussions begin at 7 p.m (nearly) every third Wednesday. The group doesn't meet every month, so please contact the book store for the group's specific date and book choice.
Thursdays
Liberty Bay Bookstore hosts the Mystery Book Group. Want to branch out into suspense, mystery or thrillers? Come read with us. The group meets on the 4th Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. Call for current book - 360-779-5909.
From 4:00pm to 7:00pm Sip-N-Knitters join up and caffeinate or relax with coffee, tea, and goodies while adding to a scarf which will eventually be twenty-two miles long beating the world record held by some sweet little ol’ Scottish ladies. According to the sign-up sheet, to date, more than 200 men, women, and children have contributed to the effort.
Sons of Norway hosts a gathering of local beginner to master level wood carvers from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The curious are invited to see what they are up to and to appreciate their craft.
Magnolia Tree House hosts a musician’s jam. Fantastic local musicians gather and entertain while attendees enjoy meeting, mingling, conversation, and delicious drinks. There is no cover charge.
On the third Thursday of each month Heavenly Choices hosts a Spiritual Discussion Group. Cindy keeps the group running with the topics participants select. There isn't any cost for the event, which goes from 6:30- 8pm.
Fridays
“Reel Time Fiddle Tune Jam” takes place at The Poulsbohemian Coffee House every second Friday from 7:00-10:00pm. Join in and play your favorite reels, jigs, waltzes, polkas, and take a cheap trip ($2.00 cover charge) to Cape Breton, Quebec, New England, and abroad. Folks who can hold a stick, pick, pluck, or squeeze are welcome. For further info please call Jane Landstra at 360-697-6192.
Tizley’s Europub presents Rick May and Gil Yslas with the occasional guest player. This group is the perfect backdrop for a delicious dinner, desert, and a large variety of spirits. For further information call 360-394-0082.
Liberty Bay Bookstore hosts the Joy Luck Book Group on Fridays, starting at 11:00am. If it fits your schedule please join them. The group consistently chooses great reads and does great research, too. The February discussion will be about "A House for Mr. Biswas" by V.S. Naipaul.
Saturdays
Dancing Paint Brush hosts three different workshops from 10:00am until Noon. Each class is $75 which includes the $40 non-refundable deposit, materials, studio time, instruction, and firing. The Metal Clay Basics class teaches you how to make your own silver jewelry out of Metal Clay; in this fun class, artists twelve and up will learn to manipulate, dry, sand, and finish their pieces. Or artists twelve and up are invited to learn the basics of using frit, stringers & other techniques in the Fused Glass Workshop by creating a 7” plate. And artists of all ages are welcome to attend the Clay Handbuilding Workshop; in the workshop you will learn to slab and throw your own clay. Call Dancing Paint Brush today to sign-up for the class of your choice 360-598-3800.
  
Magnolia Tree House hosts live music every Saturday night - professional acts and no cover. Enjoy the wonderfully moody and intimate setting. Call today to get details about featured artists. 360-697-1447
Tizley’s Europub features live music on Saturday nights. The pub boasts excellent spirits and an excellent selection of wine, beers, deserts, and meals. Start times vary slightly and artists vary, so give them a call at 360-394-0082 for specific dates, start times, and artist information.
April Events
Friday, April 4th
Sons of Norway hosts a crab feed. So, bib up and chow down. Tickets only. For more information call 360-779-5209.
Saturday, April 12th
Starting at 7:00pm Poulsbohemian Coffeehouse hosts their Armchair Poetry series. Barbara Berger reads Margi Berger's work, then Pat Loken and Helen Merrill read their work. An open-mic provides a venue for rising literary stars.
Sons of Norway hosts an evening glimpse at the early days of Norwegian
off-shore oil production presented by Carlton Anderson. This event is open to the public and refreshments will follow. For more information call 360-779-5209.
Saturday, April 19th
Poulsbo North Kitsap Rotary Foundation Dinner Auction invite you to join them for their annual fundraiser dinner auction at the Sons of Norway. There will be a silent auction from the time the doors open at 5 pm until dinner is served at 7 pm. The live auction will start promptly at 7:45 PM. Find more information at www.poulsborotary.org
Sunday, April 20th
Contemporary poets, Mary Lou Sanelli and Joannie Kervran Stangeland read their poetry at The Jewel Box Theatre. This monthly reading series begins at 3:00pm and hosts regional poets and an open-mic. |
