Kamloops, B.C., bakery extends deadline to enter succession contest

Kamloops, B.C. – For $1,000, qualified Canadian entrants can own Erwin’s Fine Baking & Delicatessen, located in Kamloops, B.C.

The family business announced a deadline extension for its skills-based contest until Sept. 22, 2023. The contest originally launched on May 23 as Erwin’s owners announced they are handing over their business through a skills-based contest.

Aspiring entrepreneurs may vie for the chance to take over the longstanding bakery, Erwin’s said in a news release.

As co-owners of Erwin’s Fine Baking, Robyn and Shawn Haley look to retire, they devised a skills-based contest to identify the ideal candidate who can uphold the bakery’s legacy with the same passion and dedication that has defined it for over five decades.

“We didn’t know what people would think about the contest but the community has been so supportive and excited about it,” said Robyn Haley. “We’ve extended the deadline as we wanted to give people more time to enter the contest and allow more aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of this unique opportunity.”

To participate in the contest, individuals must meet the following criteria: be Canadian residents, aged 19 or older (with the exception of Quebec residents). To enter, qualified candidates must write an essay explaining their understanding of taking over the bakery and include details about their baking, business and management experience.

Since its establishment in 1971, Erwin’s Fine Baking has specialized in handcrafted baked goods prepared with traditional European methods and the finest quality ingredients. In addition to their in-house offerings, Erwin’s also offers a specialty grocery with local and imported products that complement their baked goods.

The selected candidate or candidates will acquire a thriving business and take over the lease of the building, all the equipment, materials, recipes and inventory including raw, finished and storefront.

Submissions may be made online through the website at https://www.ownabakerycontest.ca by Sept. 22, 2023, along with the contest entry fee of $1,000. Entrants can send any questions regarding the contest to info@erwinsbaking.ca. Erwin’s Fine Baking & Delicatessen is open throughout the contest serving bread, pastries and desserts Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 419 Mount Paul Way in Kamloops.

Robyn Haley joins us in a podcast to talk about memories of Erwin’s, operational challenges, favourite products and what it takes to run a successful community bakery. LISTEN NOW!