Baking Bird Soars with RCEDC and Local Matching Grant Support
Highlighted on Fox6 News Milwaukee
Inspired by Community Support, Melissa Launched “Trees of Love and Remembrance” to Aid Cancer Research Through Creativity
Village of Union Grove, WI – Melissa Poeschel, with nearly 20 years of baking experience, founded Baking Bird and launched her bakery company in her home. With growing success, she and her husband Chris decided to expand their business into a commercial space in downtown Union Grove. In June 2022, Baking Bird opened and offered from-scratch baked goods like bagels, cupcakes, and cinnamon rolls. Dedicated to sustainability, Baking Bird grows its own herbs and donates scraps to local farms.
Feeling supported by the community, Melissa wanted to give back. She launched the “Trees of Love and Remembrance” initiative, where customers donate to cancer research and paint birdhouses to hang in the bakery. Proceeds benefit a different cancer association each month.
With Baking Bird’s growing success, Melissa was featured on Fox6 News Milwaukee, where she shared her journey and baking skills. The Village of Union Grove’s President also highlighted Baking Bird’s success from a home-based business to a thriving brick-and-mortar store, in part, made possible with support from state and local funding programs.
To support their growth, Melissa and Chris partnered with RCEDC to secure a $5,000 Village of Union Grove Matching Grant, which helped purchase two freezers and cover operating expenses, allowing the company to create two full-time jobs in the process.
Baking Bird, located at 1013 Main Street in Union Grove, is open Wednesday through Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
