Pictured in the photo from left to right are, Bill Yaste and Scarlett Yaste of Hugh’s Bakery & Coffeehouse, Kevin Pritchard of Ruoff Mortgage, Lanie Zimmer and Rylee Arnold of Hugh’s Bakery & Coffeehouse, Nick Huffman of Steffen Group, Lydia Yaste and Kylie Gerber of Hugh’s Bakery & Coffeehouse, Heather Morgan of National Oil & Gas, Naomi Yaste of Hugh’s Bakery & Coffeehouse, Cyndee Fiechter of North Eastern Group Realty, Wells County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Erin Prible, and Lydia’s nieces and nephew in front. (Photo submitted)

The Wells County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce Lydia Yaste, the proud owner of Hugh’s Bakery & Coffeehouse, as the distinguished September Chamber Member of the Month. Hugh’s Bakery & Coffeehouse, located at 229 West Market Street in Bluffton, has captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike with its delightful offerings and welcoming ambiance.

Lydia Yaste’s entrepreneurial journey began with a dream to establish her own business, a vision she had nurtured over time. Her father’s entrepreneurial spirit had been a guiding influence, inspiring her with the belief that hard work and dedication could make her dream a reality.

Hugh’s Bakery & Coffeehouse first opened its doors on Main Street, where it thrived for three years. In 2020, a remarkable opportunity presented itself, leading to the purchase and renovation of a building on Market Street. The move to the new location in August offered a substantial increase in space, enabling expanded services and enhancing the overall customer experience.

The Market Street location has brought remarkable growth opportunities, allowing the café to diversify its offerings and provide a more spacious environment. The increased demand, especially during the spring and summer months, has enabled expanded outdoor seating options.

Over the past three years, Hugh’s Bakery & Coffeehouse has gained momentum and extended its services to include catering and business lunches, enriching the local community’s culinary experiences. This year, the café introduced its mobile Avis Coffee Cart, available for events such as weddings and corporate gatherings, with the first official event scheduled for early October.

Hugh’s Bakery & Coffeehouse prides itself on offering high-quality craft coffee, a full espresso bar, and a variety of options for non-coffee drinkers, including teas and smoothies. The bakery delights patrons with freshly baked goods, including scones, muffins, granola bars, and popular items like raspberry bars. Additionally, the café serves soups, salads, breakfast, and brunch options, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Running this business brings immense joy to Lydia Yaste, who finds fulfillment in providing a welcoming space where people can connect over a cup of coffee or a pastry. She takes pride in the café’s role as a community hub, where conversations and meaningful interactions take place against the backdrop of warm sunshine streaming through the windows.

Yaste expressed her deep appreciation for her dedicated staff, describing them as phenomenal and the driving force behind the café’s success. She emphasized the importance of building relationships with customers and delivering exceptional customer service, ensuring that patrons not only enjoy a great cup of coffee but also feel a genuine connection to the establishment.

Hugh’s Bakery & Coffeehouse operates from Monday through Friday, opening its doors from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.