First-Ever Bakery Owner Brings Freshly Baked Delights to Merak, Fulfilling Community’s Longing for Local Bakery

…𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒃𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔, 𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒄𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒉𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔.

Phurpa Wangmo

In a remarkable milestone for the small village of Merak, 26 year old Phurpa Dema from Merak has become the first-ever bakery owner, bringing the joy of freshly baked goods to the local community. Born and raised in Merak, Phurpa recognized the need for a bakery in the area, particularly when it came to celebrating special occasions such as birthdays.

“Birthdays are an important event in a child’s life, and every child deserves to enjoy their special day,” said Phurpa. “I wanted to provide the community with a place where they could easily access freshly baked goods to celebrate these memorable moments.”

Phurpa’s journey into the world of baking began with a one-week training course provided by a friend of her sister-in-law. Filled with passion and determination, she was eager to transform her dreams into reality. Supported wholeheartedly by her brother, Phurpa took the leap and opened her very own bakery.

The bakery offers a delectable assortment of treats, including bread, muffins, cakes, and the traditional Bhutanese snack “burn.” The range of options ensures that there is something for everyone, catering to various tastes and preferences. Customers can now enjoy the convenience of having freshly baked goods right at their doorstep, without having to travel long distances to nearby towns like Trashigang or Rangjung.

Previously, the lack of a bakery in the village posed a challenge for residents, especially when it came to acquiring freshly baked cakes. People had to endure the hassle of traveling to neighboring towns or settling for store-bought cakes that often lacked the authentic taste and freshness.

Since its opening, Phurpa’s bakery has garnered immense popularity within the village and surrounding areas. The community has warmly embraced the new establishment, recognizing the value it brings to their lives. Phurpa shared that during the summer season, when the village witnesses various annual rituals, her business thrives, generating an average daily income of approximately 2000-3000 Bhutanese Ngultrum. However, she noted a decrease in revenue during the winter months, as many locals migrate to warmer regions along with their cattle.

Running the bakery is a joint effort between Phurpa and her husband. They work tirelessly to ensure the bakery operates smoothly, delivering quality baked goods and maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for their customers.
The residents of Merak are grateful to Phurpa for fulfilling their long-standing desire for a local bakery. The Merak Gup, expressing his appreciation, said, “Especially during occasions, it is convenient for us as we get freshly baked cake nearby and we can order when we need. Earlier, we had to order 2-3 days in advance, and moreover, it was very difficult to get freshly baked cake.”

As Merak’s first-ever bakery owner, Phurpa Dema has set a shining example for others, proving that dreams can be turned into reality with perseverance and support from loved ones. Her bakery stands as a testament to the power of determination and the positive impact small businesses can have on local communities.