|
Dudley's Has New Owners, Same Great Bread
By Bobbi Zane
 | | Barry Brunyé, owner of Dudley's.
Photo by Bobbi Zane |
|
Barry Brunyé wants to save small town America, one business at a time.
That's what prompted his recent purchase of venerable Dudley's Bakery, which everyone knows is located at the crossroads of highways 79 and 78 in Santa Ysabel.
"Dudley's is a little bit of San Diego history," is how the El Cajon resident explained his interest in the bakery even though he has never been in the food service business. And "places like this are disappearing."
The new owner was among the thousands of RVers who regularly stopped at Dudley's on weekends en route to desert playgrounds in the 1980s to load up on great bread, handmade from unusual recipes. Those were the days when the lines wound out the door and into the parking lot.
So, earlier this year when Brunyé learned the bakery was for sale, he jumped at the chance to learn more. He had been looking for a business to buy for quite some time following the sale of his Goldline Controls Inc., a national electronics company, three years ago. Liking what he saw at Dudley's, he took over the business from longtime owners Marilee Strech and Mel Ashley on June 28. Marilee is staying around to help with the transition.
And that transition is taking place right now. There are some small changes and some not so small.
First, as anybody who drives by has noticed, Brunyé is re-invigorating the look of the building. Already completed are a newly paved and striped parking lot, new roof and a lot of painting both outside and inside, plus new flooring inside. The porch on the south side of the building has been extended, "I'm going to put a bunch of rocking chairs there where customers can sit and watch the gorgeous view of the Santa Ysabel valley," Brunyé said.
Marilee's Crossroads gift shop has been replaced by a larger one that Brunyé's wife, Laurie, is running with the help of longtime manager Barbara Pound. "We plan to expand what we offer," Brunyé said. "And focus on local products such as Julian Jams, jewelry, local art, honey and guidebooks to the area."
The bakery is in full swing producing the same menu of handmade breads that Dudley's has been offering for years. The same baking staff still shows up for work at 3 a.m. to start proofing the yeast. But Brunyé has already added new items to the bread menu and will continue to have monthly specials. Upcoming are rosemary/olive oil and pumpkin bread.
The chefs are still making the wonderful fruit bars, created by Mel years ago. However, the little bags are being replaced by clamshells, making it easier to store and ship the little beauties.
Also added to the menu are handmade hamburger buns, dinner rolls and lots of pastries.
Coming soon is a new deli, to replace the one that had been at Dudley's on and off for years. Brunyé is moving it into the main bakery, where customers will be able to purchase cold sandwiches, salads, soups in winter and soft drinks. He anticipates opening by Oct. 1.
You can't miss Dudley's in Santa Ysabel. However, the phone number to place
orders is 760-765-0488 or check out the new Web site, www.dudleysbakery.com. The bakery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and on Mondays starting in October.
| 
