Ask any chef or baker about their signature culinary creation and they are likely to tell you the same thing. Success comes from hours of experimentation in the kitchen. Add a cup of this, take away a teaspoon of that until you have achieved the secret sauce.
This was the recipe that Nicole Streeter followed at The Apothecary Kitchen. What began as a space in historic downtown Dundee for local entrepreneurs and artisans quickly evolved into a bakery and cafe. And just as quickly, the 2020 pandemic required a shift to a new business model.
“When I opened The Apothecary Kitchen in 2019, I had no idea what it would become,” Streeter said. “I started with a thousand dollars, two countertop convection ovens, and a third hand coffee maker that leaked if you didn’t jiggle the handle just right.”
Streeter had initially used the downtown location to sell her collection of handcrafted natural skin care products. She offered the space for others to sell their handmade goods as well.
“At the time, I hadn’t fully transitioned to food, but knew that my ultimate goal was to share my passion for offering our customers a meal that looked as delicious as it tasted.”
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She started with small batches of bakery items, including keto and gluten friendly options. Then came the DIY coffee bar and a weekly cafe menu of soups, salads and sandwiches that were made from scratch using local seasonal ingredients. When the pandemic hit, the business had to pivot to online orders and catering.
“Unfortunately, we’ve experienced first hand the post-pandemic side effects felt by small businesses, not just in our community, but in communities everywhere,” Street said. “We still offer in store when we can, but catering is our bread and butter.”
From pop-ups to parties
The Apothecary Kitchen has an evolving customer base, providing catering for events such as bridal showers, baby showers and graduation parties along with large corporate events. Local customers can still pop in for limited store hours and special events.
“We still do pop-up events, like our annual Bridgerton Brunch in the spring. We offer seasonal selections for the holidays, so people can still stop in and check the place out, which is always a lot of fun,” Streeter said.
Streeter continues to collaborate with other local businesses and suppliers.
“I shop for everything personally because I’m a firm believer in quality over quantity. I like being able to see, touch and taste the ingredients that go into the items we offer,” she said. “I frequent farmers markets during the spring and summer, and have a home garden where we grow things like herbs, heirloom variety produce and edible botanicals that I use to garnish salads and charcuterie arrangements. It’s all about the details.”
Streeter has plans in the works for 2026, hoping to pair her food offerings with live music and art. She’s also working on a Gatsby-themed event for the new year.
“What we offer is different from everybody else. There’s a dozen places you can go to for a burger and fries or a slice of pizza. What we offer is more than just a meal. It’s an experience,” she said.
The Apothecary Kitchen. 169 Riley St., Dundee. 734-223-9744. Check Facebook for store hours of operation, or send inquiries to info@the-apothecary-kitchen.com.
