Gail Sauer’s Bakery Cafe opens drive-through, Maryborough

One of the Fraser Coast’s favourite family-owned businesses is serving up its famous treats via a drive-through to rival fast food franchises. VIDEO:

A century-old bakery in Maryborough is keeping up with the times but still serving up the traditional treats its famous for.

Sauer’s pies have been around since 1918, with the original store located on Park Street.

The bakery cafe is now owned by fourth-generation-Sauer Toni Thompson, her husband Russell Thompson, and aunt Gail Sauer on Lennox Street.

Ms Thompson’s great-grandfather Augustus ‘Augie’ Sauer started the business more than 100 years ago.

Now a century on, the bakery has incorporated a flashy drive-through.

Owners of Gail Sauer’s Bakery Cafe in Maryborough, Toni Thompson and Russell Thompson.

Speaking to the Chronicle, Ms Thompson said she thought about what Augie and her grandfather, Norm Sauer, would think if they could see the bakery now.

“I mean it’s always been very popular in Maryborough, but to see it now with a sit-down diner and this new drive-through … I’m sure they would just be blown away … and proud as punch of course,” she said.

Mr Thompson built the drive-through himself, along with the new work area and office inside the shop.

“It was two years in the planning,” Ms Thompson said.

The team is trialling the drive-through, which launched on Monday and is open from 6am to 1.30pm.

“We have toyed with the thought of having it open a couple of nights a week, which of course we would need extra staff, but we’ll see how that goes … early days,” Ms Thompson said.

They hope to extend the drive-through hours to 3.30pm.

Gail Sauer’s Bakery Cafe in Maryborough now has a drive-through.

Customers can order various items on the menu via the drive-through, including Sauer’s iconic pies, sausage rolls, cakes, slices, pre-made sandwiches, cold drinks and coffees.

Orders can also be placed over the phone for collection via the drive-through.

“They can phone ahead, give us their order, we’ll have it packed, boxed, ready to go and it can go out the drive-through window,” she said.

“Staying relevant” and “convenience” were key thoughts for creating the drive-through.

“Covid was another thought as well, obviously with so many restrictions and people couldn’t come as they had before, so the fact that they can simply drive past was definitely a consideration,” she said.

“We’ve discovered already it’s just so convenient for people, people who are disabled, people who are elderly …

“The diner I think is wonderful because it will remain here for people who want to come and sit down and have morning tea, we have lots of lovely customers that enjoy their morning tea and stuff here, so it’s just another element to service our customers the best we can.”

Bree Richardson works in the brand new drive-through at Gail Sauer’s Bakery in Maryborough

Tradesmen who are in a hurry can also just pop through the drive-through, Ms Thompson said, adding she had an “amazing” team.

“We’re extremely proud to still be selling Sauer’s pies,” she said.

“It’s a big reputation to look up to, but we try everyday to do it, and I am continually blown away by the nice comments from people, the support and the amazing stories and memories that they have that are associated with our pies.”