Life is sweet for Jen Fowler and Gabriela Schoch.

The two operate Sweet Leaf Bakery & Cafe, which opened in the Mall at Piccadilly on Nov. 22. The business was inspired by Fowler害羞草研究所檚 baking.

Schoch explained she and Fowler worked together prior to opening Sweet Leaf.

害羞草研究所淛en would come in with fabulous baking all the time and we were just eating this and one day basically said we should open up a bakery害羞草研究所�,害羞草研究所� said Schoch. 害羞草研究所淗er baking is just too good to keep from the public and there was high demand and we started doing our homework.害羞草研究所�

The two had wanted to open a bakery in Salmon Arm害羞草研究所檚 downtown, but a location wasn害羞草研究所檛 available. A space was available at the mall, and with Starbucks closing its mall store to move across Highway 1, Schoch and Fowler saw an opportunity for a bakery/cafe.

Research for the bakery cafe involved visits to similar establishments in Kelowna. Schoch and Fowler decided on a European-style bakery with unique offerings.

害羞草研究所淲e tried to stay away from what everybody else had, not getting into pies, not getting into cinnamon buns,害羞草研究所� said Schoch.

A photographer in the Shuswap for 15 years, Fowler was ready for the transition, explaining she is a self-taught baker who is in her comfort zone when in the kitchen.

害羞草研究所淚 think there was always little waves of 害羞草研究所榃hat are we doing?,害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟 said Fowler of the new venture. 害羞草研究所淏ut I think we害羞草研究所檝e always been excited for the adventure of it and it害羞草研究所檚 something that our community needs.害羞草研究所�

Schoch and Fowler endeavour to use locally sourced fresh ingredients for the cafe and Fowler害羞草研究所檚 mouth-watering creations, which include everything from cookies, cupcakes, muffins and macarons, to elaborate cakes. Par baked baguettes, sourdoughs and other bread items provided by Two Donkeys Bakery of Kelowna are finished fresh daily. The coffee beans are locally roasted.

Regarding cakes, in addition to what is for sale at the cafe, Fowler also accepts orders for custom creations.

Asked about the name, Sweet Leaf, it害羞草研究所檚 what Schoch and Fowler decided on after one of Fowler害羞草研究所檚 daughters (who help out at the cafe) designed a logo for the business, which includes a green circle with leaves on the top left.

害羞草研究所淲e based this off of the tree of life and the family tree and the fact that it害羞草研究所檚 a family-run business and instead of having a tree in our name, we thought we害羞草研究所檇 take a part of that, 害羞草研究所� said Fowler. 害羞草研究所淎nd since we害羞草研究所檙e based on sweet things, Sweet Leaf.害羞草研究所�

The Sweet Leaf Bakery & Cafe is open Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit Sweet Leaf害羞草研究所檚 Facebook page.

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