Archie's, home of Hough Bakery recipes, launches fundraiser to save business (2024)

Laura DeMarco, The Plain Dealer

Archie's, home of Hough Bakery recipes, launches fundraiser to save business

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Archie Lee Garner has helped keep the Hough Bakery name – and flavor – alive since 1994.

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Following Hough’s closure in 1992, the former head baker has made sure that Cleveland doesn’t forget that famous white cake with buttercream icing, Hungarian delights, lemon coconut cake hot cross buns, cinnamon raisin bread, coconut bars, petit fours, daffodil cakes and other Hough favorites by making them at his Archie's Lakeshore Bakery, 14906 Lakeshore Blvd.

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Now, Archie’s is in danger of closing – and taking those beloved recipes with him. Recipes that have led searchers to many an internet forum in their quest for those long-gone favorites.

Archie's

Garner’s lease has expired and he is being forced to move. He says he’s been on a month-to-month lease since June and thought he could stay till the end of the year, but his landlord “now said he wants us out.” Garner has a 14-day injunction, but after that could be forced to close any day.

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“We’re going to ask the judge if we can stay till the end of the year,” he says. “We could miss the holiday season, which is the season that really make us, where we make a profit for the year.”

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But going to court is just a temporary solution. Garner wants to move – and has found a potential new location in Beachwood. On Sunday, he announced a GoFundMe campaign - https://www.gofundme.com/help-archie-keep-hough-bakery-alive – to try to make it happen.

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“Fortunately, we’ve found a prospective location,” he said in the post. “However, we will incur a number of expenses during the relocation process. Your donations will be used to purchase and replace outdated equipment which belongs to current establishment and cannot be moved to our new location.”

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He’s asking for $250,000. Garner says the funds will go towards building out the new space and purchasing new equipment. The oven he uses now belongs to his landlord.

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“A used oven will be $17,000 to $20,000, and with shipping almost as much as a new one. Industrial mixers are $10, 000 - $15,000 used and $30,000 new. I was quoted figures as high as $140,000 for build-out alone. Then there’s training and other equipment and a delivery vehicle.”

Garner plans to expand his hours and staff if he moves.

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Inspired by the success of Edwin’s in Shaker Square, he also hopes to train and integrate non-violent offenders by training them as bakers.

As of Tuesday morning, $4021 had been raised from 82 donors.

What if Garner doesn’t reach his goal?

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“It’s not going to stop me. I’ll just have to get a loan,” he says. “And if I have to open with partial equipment, I will. I’ll open regardless.”

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Nostalgia for Hough is understandable. For nine decades, the chain was the go-to bakery for Clevelanders, from weddings to birthdays to V-J Day, pictured.

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The first bakery was opened by Lionel Archibald Pile on Hough Ave. in 1903, with just four employees. He had a recipe for success that soon led him to open more branches throughout the city. By the 1920s, his four sons had also entered the business, helping with the expansion. By the 1930s. they had their first suburban branches in Cleveland Heights and East Cleveland, and also launched their popular catering business.

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By the mid-1970s, Hough had more than 70 locations. But popularity wasn’t enough to keep the sweet smell of success going. Overextension and lack of automation led Hough to close in 1992. Two years later, Garner, who had worked at Hough for 25 years, opened his bakery.

Archie's

He recently stopped by a Hough tribute weekend at Sweetie’s Big Fun at Pinecrest in Orange Village.

“It was overwhelming - I couldn’t believe it, the people just kept coming. Some of them are our customers, others didn’t know we existed. More people have already been coming to the bakery since then.

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“Hough was the best on the market, no one could match the quality. So many people grew up with it as tradition. I’ve seen people bite into something and be brought to tears because they never thought they’d have that taste again. It takes them back to their childhood.”

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For more on Archie's:
https://m.facebook.com/Archies-Hough-Bakery-23962346552

Plain Dealer Historical Photograph Collection

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Plain Dealer Historical Photograph Collection