I made some more cherry cookies.
I can’t remember the last time I baked two things in one week, but man do I enjoy the process of putting them together. What it is about the pressing down of dough and the cutting out of circles with a small, overturned cup? Seems to smooth out my thoughts at the same time.
I’m guessing Amber Anderson feels the same way. She lives a couple of towns over, in Union Springs, and runs a small boutique bakery called French Pressed Home.
I read an article recently that said she and her husband took a leap of faith and moved to Union Springs (from California) after seeing one of its historic homes listed for sale online. Oh, how I can totally relate to that particular pull. Remember when Kevin and I toyed with the idea of buying this old place in Union Springs several years back?
The listing read:
Victorian House with lots of extras! Columned porch with porch swing, columned entrance open to an extra wide foyer, 5 mantels and hardwood floors throughout. Extra tall pocket doors and original wainscoting in the dining room. Large butlers pantry with built-in china cabinet, clawfoot tub in the bathroom. Irrigation system. Magnolia and fruit trees. Just needs a little TLC! Sold “as is” but the owner is willing to renovate more with a price adjustment. Fantastic Opportunity! $55,000
I heard someone bought it shortly after we toured it and I’ve always wondered what the old place looks like now. Seems like I heard the owners came over from Texas, but I don’t know that for sure.
Anywho, back to Amber…who actually did it. She bought an old home in Union Springs, then she bought an old building and opened her bakery. It sits one tiny barbershop away from the corner of Powell and Conecuh, and they gave it a complete makeover before they moved in. Top to bottom, inside and out. Oh, how their bodies must have ached during the renovation!
I read that it used to belong to a pair of brothers who dubbed it Holmes Cafe, and that for 55 years, folks created happy meal-related memories with them there. (Bing Crosby was a frequent visitor, too!)
When Amber bought it, she hoped to create a place where visitors could do the same. Here’s a peek at some of the delicious things she loves serving her guests today…
(Peach Galette – a rustic peach pie served with butter pecan ice cream)
(A scoop of chicken salad & sweet tea | Flower-topped vanilla cake with raspberry filling and vanilla buttercream)
(Light & flaky raspberry scones – 6 for $6 or 12 for $12)
FPH & Bakery is currently closed while Amber works on another makeover, but she told me she’s planning to open back up on March 12th, so Kevin and I will definitely drive down for a visit then. I’ll be sure to bring my camera so you can see what’s new in Union Springs, too!
Layla
*Updated to add: I searched Google Maps for that old house we had our eye on and it looks like that lot is empty now. 🙁 I’ll swing by when we visit in a couple of weeks. Boy do I regret not taking photos of the exterior of it back then!
(Where did you go, handsome old house?)
*Updated to add: I found an old photo of it online!
The (ten-year-old) article underneath it read: Station agent E.J. Pierce built this quintessential Queen Anne in Union Springs, Alabama in 1907, dressing it up with pre-cut moldings, mantels, and cabinetry. The 2,300-square-foot home features walnut wainscoting, oak overmantels, and 12-foot-high Corinthian columns that divide the house’s 10-foot-wide entryway from its octagonal front parlor. For the past seven years, the house has stood empty. When the owner of a local hunting lodge grew worrisome about its condition, he decided to snatch it up, hastily replacing the leaky roof to prevent any rain damage. Now he’s looking for someone to give the old place a full restoration.
Praying someone picked it up and moved it, but I’ve got a bad feeling it was torn down. :-/
* Updated to add: I WAS LOOKING AT THE WRONG LOT!!! I zoomed two houses over to the left, and it took me a second to recognize it, but LOOK:
That photo was taken in January of 2016, and those are construction materials on the front porch, so maybe someone (from Texas?) is fixing it up after all! 😀
To be continued…
I made your ‘fold over” cookies and they were delicious. I filled them with my homemade orange marmalade! Next time I’ll roll the dough even thinner as they took longer to bake.
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! I think baking time varies, depending on your oven too. Mine are perfect at 10 minutes…not 12.
I am so tickled to see this—Union Springs is my home town! I grew up eating at Holmes Cafe and have wonderful memories of Sunday dinner there. When I was 15 I had my first job at the bank and could walk there for lunch! I felt like such s grownup! Thank you! I don’t get back very often—can’t wait to see photos from your next trip
Oh, how fun that you’re from Union Springs! I loved reading your comment…thank you for sharing that memory!
Glad it was not torn down!!
Me too! 😀
I love everything about this post! Makes me want to move to Union Springs!
Thank you! And I look forward to showing you more photos in a few weeks!
I was up at the memory of that bargain of a house, remembering your original post, then down at the thought it had been torn down. Finally back up on top with a bonus of people (no doubt good Texas folks 🙂 ) having been working on it! What a roller coaster this morning. 🙂
Ha! Your message made me chuckle! Thanks for the sunshine, Andrea! 😀
Sooo glad you found that gem of a house !!! Can’t wait to see your pics from your upcoming visit …. Love … Love small town America!!!
Thank you, Terri! And I sure love our little towns too!
Did you post the recipe for the cookies? If yes, I must have missed it. They looked delicious.
Happy March to you! I have daffodils in bloom which makes me happy. Cold weather forecast for next week. I’m going to cut a big bouquet before it arrives. Hope you have a great weekend.
Greetings, Layla! My girl group loves to take the short trip to Union Springs for a delightful brunch st FPH Bakery. Mercy, is it fine! And Amber and her staff are so attentive and sweet. I must add that you need to slip down to Eufaula to check out our lovely town. We have a delightful tour of our antebellum homes each April and at Christmas. There are a number of houses available for you to restore and love. Come on anytime! Cathy
Hi Cathy!
I’ve heard about Eufaula from my mother-in-law’s sister who lives there and *gosh* does it sound wonderful!
We’ll definitely have to come down for a visit soon!
Omgooodness!! I want the house and all the sweets!! But I don’t have $55k and we were all to slow those stingy texasians hehe always coming in on our ranch!! Lol~ Oh & I want the sweets but unfortunately I’m trying this Keto thing so I just licked the phone screen on the pics of them instead of baking them!! 😉 Thanks for all the goodies you bring to us~> You are sunshine so keep feeling us up with your rayz!! Is that how you spell rayz~ rays.. anyway just keep shining!! ☀️💝
I had some major mood swings in this post worrying that that gorgeous old home was torn down. What a relief to know all is well and it stands proudly now!!
Wish I could buzz on over to Union Springs and visit French Pressed Bakery. Sounds like my kind of place! I’ll look forward to your pictures instead. SO glad that beautiful old house wasn’t torn down!
Love that sweet bakery and Amber is a doll!!! Our vet is in Union Springs (Walking on the Moon).
Next time I sm in Union Springs I will look for the house… sure hope she was saved!
I love a good mystery, Layla!!
One your cherry cookies look yummy!
Aren’t you the old house sleuth! My heart stopped when you said it was now an empty lot! All that history lost forever! Then BAM you found it and it looks like it’s beibg restored!
Great adventure Layla thanks for sharing! I hope if you are still writing in the mornings, you keep that in mind for a story!
I love this post! All of it – the houses, the people and the baked goods! I need to see how far union springs is from me. Love a road trip!
I’m so glad I “swiped up!” Your post today was so sweet! You have such a way with words! My dream is to have a sweet little shop like that… maybe one day I’ll do it! Thanks for sharing your little trip!
Love this!!! My great Uncle Curtis, was one of the Holmes brothers who ran the cafe. Just made it to the bakery once but love what she did with the building! Look forward to her re-opening!
Girl, first I’m drooling over that house, then I crying over the thought of that gorgeous home being torn down, now I’m so relieved that it wasn’t, now I’m sad that it is dark and green (even though the colors are probably spot on for the period) instead of white, so now I’m mad and exhumed! I’ve gotta go make those little cookies and take a dramamine. Thanks for the ride girl…what a charming g little town.
I am SO glad you found that photo of the house you had considered. My heart was breaking to think it had been torn down. I know many simply have to be, but goodness gracious it is sad when they don’t have to but still are. So much history gets lost in the need for “new and shiny”.
My heart sunk to the floor when you said it was an empty lot. I’m so thankful that it was just the wrong lot. I get way too sentimental about old homes and the stories they must have. My husband and I are moving into an 1800s farmhouse soon, and I am so excited to be part of its story. Thanks for sharing these beautiful places with us!