Woodgate seachange for Childers Hot Bread and Bake Shop

A beloved Childers family business has made the bold move to open a second location at beachside Woodgate.

Margaret Hautpli and her daughter-in-law Holly Van Pelt on the floor for opening day at the new Woodgate site.

The family owners of a beloved Childers’ bakery have made the leap and opened a second location at Woodgate.

Childers Hot Bread and Bake Shop owner Margaret Hauptli said she had been considering the expansion for many years, with several of her customers making the drive weekly from Woodgate to Childers for her delicious goods.

“I was financially able to take the leap and I just love the people out there,” she said.

The journey into the bakery industry began for her 12 years ago, after her son decided he wanted to become a baker.

Her husband Mark, who had completed a bakery apprenticeship prior to his military career, encouraged the decision and soon it became a family affair.

Mrs Hauptli manages the sales, while Mr Hauptli bakes the pies, and her sons Reece and Aiden bake the breads and cakes.

Margaret Hauptli and her daughter-in-law Holly Van Pelt on the floor for opening day.

Since then, the family has been able to expand to take on multiple staff and baking apprentices, and daughter-in-law Holly Van Pelt has also joined the team

“We have the capacity to make the product for two sites,” Mrs Hauptli said.

The new location will offer up to five jobs for Woodgate residents, with Mrs Hauptli saying it was important to her that she employ locally.

She has employed a new driver to transport her bakery delights out to Woodgate each morning, with the new site open seven days a week.

Mrs Hauptli said the community response had been encouraging so far, with the opening day on Tuesday keeping all the staff busy.

“People in the town are desperate for a bakery, so it has been well appreciated,” she said.