Get it here: East Ridge bakery makes confections to order from scratch

photo Staff Photo by Jenna Walker/Chattanooga Times Free Press Catherine Spears, the owner of Sugary Creations, looks through her baked goods at the front of her shop in East Ridge. Many of her treats are heart-shaped for the Valentine's Day season.

* What: Baked confections

* Company: Sugary Creations

* Address: 3626 Ringgold Road, East Ridge

* Website: www.sugarycreations.com

* Telephone: 423-421-3108

* Owners: Catherine Spears

* What's special: Sugary Creations' recipes all are made from scratch. That hands-on approach yields a noticeably higher degree of quality than mixes, said Spears. "This is more like your grandmother or great-grandmother put out."

* The origin story: Spears began baking about 50 years ago. After her mother taught her the basics, she was given freedom to experiment, which has paid dividends. "I think that [lack of experience], as much as anything, is why people don't do much baking from scratch. They're worried it won't turn out, whereas if you do it, you get some confidence in yourself."

* How long does it take to make? From gathering ingredients to removal from the oven takes anywhere from 45 minutes (cookies) to an hour and a half (poundcakes).

* Where it's sold: At the Ringgold Road location.

* How long has she been making them? Spears said she opened the bakery in late summer of 2009 after the death of her husband, who had encouraged her to try selling her cookies. Rather than limit her offerings to just one item, as in the trend of cupcakeries she noticed around town, Spears said she decided to diversify her menu. She also looked for a larger building to rent so it could double as an event space.

* Expansions planned: Spears said she always is experimenting with possible menu additions and is considering the possibility of offering cooking classes, particularly baking, aimed at children.

* Lessons of the trade: "No matter how much you hear it, do not underestimate the importance of networking with other business people," Spears said. "Our local Chamber of Commerce is one of the best organizations we have around here. They have been a tremendous help and resource for me."

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