SaskatchewanAfter over two decades of kneading dough and perfecting timeless recipes, including their iconic Boston Cream Doughnut, the owners of the Wadena Bakery and Coffee Shop are hanging up their aprons as they head into retirement. Now two new owners are rolling up their sleeves to learn the recipes that have become a staple for the community, located about 200 kilometres north of Regina. Bakery was started by the Suik family in 1959, and owners now looking forward to retirementAliyah Marko-Omene · CBC News · Posted: Oct 21, 2025 7:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: October 21Steve Suik (far right) and his wife Margaret are retiring after 48 years of owning and operating the Wadena Bakery and Coffee Shop. Raksh Patel (far left) and his brother Maulik have bought the business and plan to keep all of the same recipes. (Kirk Fraser/CBC)After over two decades of kneading dough and perfecting timeless recipes, including their iconic Boston Cream Doughnut, the owners of the Wadena Bakery and Coffee Shop are hanging up their aprons as they begin their retirement. Steve Suik, 70, and his wife Margaret, 70, are now passing the whisk off to two new owners who have relocated from India. They are learning all of the family’s original recipes and have vowed to carry on the bakery’s sweet traditions that have become a staple for the community of Wadena, located about 200 kilometers north of Regina.The bakery has been owned and operated by the Suik family since 1959 when Steve’s father bought the business after immigrating from the Netherlands. He quickly got used to having his hands in the dough as he worked alongside his father over weekends and summer vacations to make dozens of breads, buns and pastries. “I grew up in the business,” said Steve. He and Margaret got married shortly after graduating from high school. Steve said a few years later, his parents asked them if they would want to work full-time at the bakery, with the idea of eventually taking it over.“We thought we’ll give it a try and see how it goes,” he said. In 1987 the couple officially took over the business from Steve’s parents. The Wadena Bakery and Coffee Shop has since become a cherished spot for those living in the area and for passersby. The business has over 5,000 followers on social media and their retirement post alone racked up 2,000 likes and 400 comments.Many of the commenters expressed their love for the bakery’s famous Boston Cream Doughnuts, a recipe the Suiks developed themselves years ago. “It’s not that Boston Creams have never been sold before, but it’s what we put in them that makes them extra good,” said Steve. He would not spill their secret ingredient. “I’d have to kill you if I told you,” he joked. The Wadena Bakery and Coffee Shop is known for its iconic Boston Cream Doughnut. Steve Suik said it’s what they put inside the donut that makes it a hit. (Kirk Fraser/CBC)However, the Suiks success doesn’t just come from their delicious baking, but also their hard work and long hours in the kitchen.Margaret explained their typical work week ranges from 40 to 65 hours with days starting as early as 2 a.m. that could stretch into the late afternoon, especially during busy seasons. The couple started to explore the idea of retirement a few years ago. Steve said they never once considered shutting the bakery down. “We didn’t want to just walk away from it then and leave an empty building,” he said.“This place is important to this town. And we know that. We’ve come to realize that and we’ve lost enough businesses already in the past 20 years.”The 70-year-olds decided they would sell their business and listed it for sale in the spring of 2023. The bakery was officially marked as sold on Monday morning. Margaret said they feel good about the sale, but have mixed feelings about retiring. “There was a lot of crying when we told the staff,” she said. The Suiks plan to continue working in the bakery with the new owners until December to help them get settled. ‘All are happy’: New ownersNew owners Raksh Patel and his brother Maulik are already kneading their way through the Suik family’s recipes. The pair arrived in Wadena only four weeks ago from Yorkton and the community is welcoming them with open arms. “All are happy,” said Maulik. “Everybody is saying congratulations.” He owned his own bakery in India where he didn’t bake, but sold everything from bread and cake to muffins and doughnuts. That’s why his brother jumped at the chance to put an offer in for the Wadena business. Former owners Steve and Margaret Suik are staying until December to teach Raksh Patel and his brother Maulik all the ins and outs of the Wadena Bakery and Coffee Shop. (Kirk Fraser/CBC)Raksh said they bought the bakery with the intention of keeping all of the same recipes. He said recipes like the Boston Cream Doughnut are what make it so special. While the brothers said it’s been hard adjusting to the work schedule, they said it’s been easy to learn all of the recipes.“Because Steve and Margaret are our teachers,” said Raksh. Maulik said they also have hopes to make the bakery a family-run business. Both of the brothers have plans for their wives to join them in running the bakery over the next few months. ABOUT THE AUTHORAliyah Marko-Omene is a reporter for CBC Saskatchewan. She has previously worked for CBC and Toronto Star in Toronto. You can reach her at aliyah.marko@cbc.ca.
Beloved Wadena bakery changes hands, but new owners will keep iconic Boston Cream Doughnut
