By Jennifer Pund
GEORGETOWN
French researchers found shoppers were more likely to alert a stranger of a dropped belonging if, at the time, they were also smelling the scent of freshly baked bread. Georgetown must be a very kind town, thanks to Kristin Wheelock and Mountain Girl Bakery, 401½ 6th St.

Opening in 2013, the small, organic bakery specializes in homemade bread, sweets and treats. Wheelock does not shy from hard work, uses organic ingredients and an old-world style to make all kinds of sweets, treats and speciality baked goods. “Everything is handmade from scratch using only the highest quality ingredients, love and smiles,” she said.

Using her 30 years of experience in the business, Wheelock always wanted to open “just a bakery,” no food, just a bakery. After selling Dandelions in Bergen Park, she looked to Georgetown because of it’s quaint small town aspect. “Later, I learned that the Hotel de Pairs began as a bakery,” she said of her neighbor. “Seems like it was meant to be.”

Wheelock admits it’s hard work but baking bread gives the most satisfaction when the loaves come out of the oven. “It is time and labor intensive but I’d have to say bread is my favorite thing to bake. The bread rack fills up and the aroma wafts down the street beckoning all the unsuspecting visitors,” She explains.

Wheelock uses organic ingredients saying it produces a flavorful product and is “better health wise and for the environment.” Her old world style lets the you really taste the ingredients. “I am an old world baker. My breads, sweets and treats are not overly sweet. You can really taste the nuttiness of the whole wheat pastry flour in the Zucchini bread or the slight tang of the residual molasses in the organic sugar in the coconut macaroons.” She explains.

Baking at elevation can be challenging since it affects the baking process. “There are definitely challenges baking at altitude. The adjustments depend on what you are baking. A little less sugar here, a bit more moisture there, sometimes less or more flour,” Wheelock advises. Along with the baked goods, Mountain Girl Bakery also accommodates different food allergies, making gluten free items like bread, cookies, brownies and frosted cakes.

Mountain Girl Bakery is open Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Monday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit http://www.mtngirlbakery.com for more information.