For nearly five decades, Eureka residents have been able to order a wide variety of baked goods, from cookies and cakes to pies, breads and everything in between.
BJs Cakes and Things has been a familiar fixture in Eureka since the 1980s. The business has operated from two locations over the years, first at 102 N. Main (primarily offering a variety of doughnuts) and later moving to its current location at 523 W. 7th. Barbara and Jim Smith owned and operated the business together until his passing in May 2020. Barbara has continued to bake various sweet treats for community members since, but after nearly 50 years of serving the community, she is preparing to close the bake shop, retire, and relocate at the age of 80.
“I have loved baking for our community,” she said. “I appreciate the business from all our customers over the years and the friendships that were gained through it,” she continued. “I really loved making cookies,” she said, adding that monster cookies were her favorite and most popular with customers.
Barbara plans to have a moving sale on Oct. 9-10, as she prepares to move to Oklahoma to be closer to her daughter and her family.
BJ’s Cakes and Things officially closed its doors on Saturday, Sept. 26.
