ATHENS, Ohio — Flour and Thyme, a micro-bakery located in Athens, combines local florals and baked goods for a catering experience that Keely Shaye provides.
Shaye started the bakery officially in 2023, after selling baked goods since 2020. Shaye started selling under the name Baked by Keely, before transitioning to Flour and Thyme.
Shaye told the Independent that she specializes in rustic small-batch pastries, prioritizing seasonal elements. Flour and Thyme currently sells brownies, cakes, croissants, eclairs, cupcakes, danishes, scones, and more.
“It’s what I want to bake, when I want to bake it,” Shaye said.
Getting started
Shaye’s passion for baking started when she was 4 years old, around the time her younger sister was born.
“I was always helping my mom in the kitchen,” Shaye said. “When my sister was born, I started taking on more roles. By the time I was 10 or 11, I was making dinners a few nights a week.”
Shaye previously worked for the Athens Bread Company until she was laid off after the business was sold. Shaye said she was then inspired to branch off on her own.
“I was thinking that I had no other option than doing this full time,” Shaye said. “This was the push that I needed.”
Shaye’s use of plants and floral elements in her baked goods inspired the bakery’s name, which was suggested by her mom.
“A lot of my baking incorporates florals,” she said. “I have an herbal medicinal foraging background, so it opened me up to which floral flavors match with baking flavors, what plants are edible and what is safe to eat.”
In addition to her mom, Shaye said the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks, also known as ACEnet, was another great resource for her young business.
“They have kitchen spaces you can rent out,” Shaye said. “They were paramount in helping me.”
She advised other aspiring business owners in the area to reach out to ACEnet as a resource to start out. Additionally, she urged entrepreneurs to put themselves out there and be confident.
“Really there is no one way to do it,” Shaye said. “You just have to jump off and go for it.”
Working in the present, planning for the future
Shaye told the Independent she handles the day-to-day operations of the business, but people occasionally come for a day or two to help her prepare for big events. For instance, her mom helps at farmer’s markets where Flour and Thyme sells.
Shaye said she sells her goods at restaurants around Athens, and is currently helping with the Athens Farmers Market’s pavilion project by donating and promoting the project. The space would be a lasting space for farmers market vendors, she explained.
“We’re trying to raise money to build a permanent pavilion space for [Athens Farmers Market vendors],” Shaye said.
Additionally, Flour and Thyme has donated baked goods to both the Athens and Nelsonville libraries, and the Dairy Barn Arts Center. The business recently bought a food cart and hopes to begin selling goods out of it in spring of 2027.
She hopes to launch a breakfast and lunch menu for Flour and Thyme in the spring and test run the menu this fall and winter. Shaye said she plans to participate in local pop ups at the same time.
Flour and Thyme participates in several pop ups with restaurants in the community each month. On the last Sunday of every month they provide Bloody Mary themed pastries at Tony’s Tavern for their Bloody Mary bar. Additionally, Flour and Thyme has partnered with the Kava Bar, Happy Snacking Athens and the Cider House. Shaye added she hopes to partner with Rise and Grind Coffee in the future.
“Different businesses host me,” she said. “Any organization that gets a hold of me and is like ‘we want to do something, would you help us out catering wise?’ I’m there for it.”
Shaye said she is still in the process of starting up the business, but looks forward to expanding soon.
“I’ve been making my business for three years,” she said. “But I feel like every business takes three years to get to that ‘go’ point.”
Community connections
Shaye explained Athens has a special place in her heart, as she grew up here and attended Athens High School.
“I grew up here and moved away, I came right back,” Shaye said. “There’s nothing like Athens. I really like to give back to my community.”
Shaye said that the community support for her business is a great motivator and has helped her expand her operations.
“Now that I have a business, the whole community is showing up for me,” she said. “I get so many opportunities because of the people I knew growing up.”
Shaye told the Independent that the most rewarding part of what she does is helping create cherished memories for people by making and selling her goods.
“I’m a part of people’s weddings, baby showers, gender reveals and birthdays,” Shaye explained. “I really like making people happy.”
Some families have become repeat customers of Flour and Thyme, allowing Shaye’s baking to be part of important life events.
“I have made a 101st birthday cake for a woman, who I later catered her funeral,” Shaye said. “Now, I’ve catered her daughter and her granddaughter’s birthdays. It’s really special getting to be a part of those moments.”
