When one door closes, another opens.
For Rick Dickinson, that cliché is true — literally.
Yesterday, the Peter’s Weston Market door closed for the final time.
This morning, it opens at The Granola Bar.
Rick spent the past 7 years running the market’s bakery. But for more than 2 decades before that, he was the much-loved (and very generous) owner of Great Cakes.
Rick Dickinson, with his great Great Cakes goods.
When that iconic bakery across from New Country Toyota closed 7 years ago tomorrow, Westport lost more than a spot to satisfy a sweet tooth and enjoy a leisurely coffee. It lost a business that always gave back to the community, and a businessman who cared deeply about the town.
Rick was Great Cakes. He worked there for 27 of its 32 years — the last 22 as owner.
As Peter’s Weston Market prepared to close, Rick began thinking about Granola Bar co-owner Julie Mountain. He called, asking if they needed help.
She was stunned. Julie and fellow owner Dana Noorily had just been talking about doing more with their baked goods.
The 3 met at the popular Playhouse Square café. Rapport was instant. “We had the same ideas. And we laughed a lot,” Rick says.
He quickly said: “I’m 150 percent in.”
They quickly said: “Great. You’ll start Monday!”
So Rick is already on the job. Unfortunately, he can’t whip up his new additions to the Granola Bar menu — challah, cakes, cookies, cupcakes, brownies — justlikethat.
Julie and Dana have already purchased a challah maker (from Peter’s). But other equipment is needed.
Items will be added gradually. Challah, he promises, is first.
Coming soon: new bakery items on The Granola Bar menu.
Rick is working out of Westport, supplying it and the 4 other Granola Bar locations (Fairfield, Stamford, Greenwich and Rye).
“Julie and Dana have such a successful business already,” he says. “This is a win-win for all of us. I haven’t been this excited in years. I feel like I’m coming home.”
Welcome home, Rick Dickinson.
And don’t let the door hit you on the way in.
