The Wild Rose Bakeshop, 119 E. Boulder St., opened Dec. 19. The bakery is owned by mother-and-daughter duo Lisa Vaughn and Brooke McKenzie, a family well-versed in building businesses from the ground up. Most recently, in 2024, Vaughn, McKenzie and Claire Schroeder — Vaughn’s daughter and McK enzie’s sister — opened Toodles Tearoom, located diagonally across the street from the new bakeshop. “This is just Brooke and me,” Vaughn said. “Claire has three daughters, and between her family and the tearoom, she has her hands full.” Vaughn brings years of experience to the venture, having owned tearooms in the Atlanta area and in Fairhope, Ala. McKenzie, meanwhile, launched her first business in her late 20s. In 2017, she founded Sasquatch Cookies, growing a late-night cookie delivery service into a booming operation with three storefront locations in Colorado Springs. “I sold that business in 2025 when my mom, sister and I decided to open Toodles,” McKenzie said. That sense of warmth and welcome reflects the family’s Southern roots. Vaughn and her daughters spent years living in Georgia and Alabama, influences that show up not only in the bakeshop’s cozy, feminine design, but in the easygoing hospitality and emphasis on making guests feel at home. When Henley’s Key Service moved to a different location, the building’s owners approached the family about expanding into the vacant space. “We weren’t interested in expanding the tearoom,” Vaughn said, “but we were interested in opening a bakery. Plus, there would be space for a larger kitchen to support the tearoom across the street.” The opportunity was a dream come true for McKenzie, who has wanted her own bakery since childhood. “My mother was a big influence, always taking me to bakeshops and letting me help in the kitchen,” she said. “I received a Culinary Institute of America pastry book when I was in third grade and started cooking from it.” “Brooke has always been the baker in the family,” Vaughn added. The Wild Rose Bakeshop mirrors the feminine, whimsical aesthetic of Toodles Tearoom, featuring a wall wrapped in pink rose-patterned paper and a signature cascade of “forever” rose swag draped along one end of the shop. The compact retail space includes a front counter filled with freshly baked goods, including cakes, scones, muffins, candies and McKenzie’s oversized cinnamon rolls. Sticky pecan rolls and cinnamon rolls are large enough to share — or not. Espresso drinks and tea are also available. Designed primarily as a grab-and-go bakery, the shop may add a few indoor tables in the future, along with sidewalk patio seating in warmer weather. Hours currently are 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Details: 719-235-2158, tinyurl.com/5c55wpk9. Dippity-do Lunch The Melting Pot, 30 E. Pikes Peak Ave., is serving up a Merry Midday Melt from noon–3 p.m. Dec. 13–31. The four-course lunch is $49 per person and is available for walk-ins throughout the promotion, with the exception of New Year’s Eve, when reservations are required. The menu includes: • First course: Choice of any cheese fondue • Second course: Choice of any salad • Third course: Choice of entrée, including garlic pepper steak, Atlantic salmon, herb chicken breast, shrimp or a fresh vegetable medley • Fourth course: Choice of any chocolate fondue. Details: 719-385-0300, facebook.com/TheMeltingPotofColoradoSprings Ethnic Grocery Finds Looking for unique, globally inspired treats for holiday stocking stuffers or gift giving? These local markets offer plenty of flavorful finds. • The Greek Market by Jake and Telly’s Greek Taverna, 2616 W. Colorado Ave., is stocked for the season with imported Greek specialties along with popular salads and dips served at the neighboring taverna. Shoppers will find olive oils, cheeses, jams, pastas, meats, pastries, artisanal breads and ready-made hummus and tzatziki prepared by Jake and Telly’s. Greek beer, wine and spirits are available to-go at the taverna across the parking lot. Market hours are 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sundays. Details: 719-633-0406, facebook.com/JakeandTellysGreekTaverna. • A Bit of Poland European Groceries, 308 S. Eighth St., offers a curated selection of Polish and other European grocery items. Shelves are filled with Polish sweets, jams, juices, teas, snacks, pickles, sauerkraut and frozen pierogi. The deli features Polish kielbasa from Kurowski Sausage Shop in Chicago, along with hams and cheeses. Holiday offerings include traditional candies, pastries and baked goods such as poppyseed rolls, doughnuts, cakes and cookies. Hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays. Details: 719-413-8191, abitofpoland.com. ...read more read less