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General News

14 November, 2024

Milestone year for much-loved bakery

Rainbow's beloved family-owned Bow Bakery is commemorating their 50th birthday on Friday, as they share the milestone with the local community in both Rainbow and Hopetoun.

By Caitlin Menadue

Jacinta, Stuart, Caroline and Mark Cocks out the front of the Rainbow store. Photo: ALISON EY
Jacinta, Stuart, Caroline and Mark Cocks out the front of the Rainbow store. Photo: ALISON EY

Even though Bow Bakery turned 50 earlier this year, the delayed celebration will see great prizes on offer for lucky shoppers and Leigh Mellington from Beat Coffee will also be in both stores throughout the day.

The bakery was previously owned by the Merritt's, who then sold the business to Roger and Val Cocks, from Nhill, in 1974.

The Cocks' soon became Rainbow locals raising four children - Stuart, Sharyn, Mark and Tracey.

Their eldest son Stuart left school in 1980, aged 16, to begin his baking apprenticeship under the instruction of Roger.

In 1982, they decided to purchase the Warracknabeal Bakery, where select good were baked at Rainbow and Warracknabeal and were transported between the stores.

Roger and Stuart began to stay overnight in Warracknabeal.

"They were living out the back of the bakery in a caravan," Mark said.

In 1983, the rest of the family joined them, relocating to Warracknabeal with the children being enrolled at the school.

That same year, Roger was sadly diagnosed with cancer and after fighting for 18 months he passed away.

This prompted Val to sell the bakery in Warracknabeal and move the family back to Rainbow.

"It was a short lived venture," Mark said.

Bob and Elaine Abbott came on board in 1984, with Bob baking with Stuart.

Elaine joined Val completing 'front of house' duties with Sharyon and Tracey helping out, with Tracey also working in the office.

Mark soon left school in 1991 and joined Bob and Stuart as a baker.

In 2001, Mark and Stuart went into partnership with Val and opened the second Bow Bakery in Hopetoun.

"We bought it out of concern for the community," Mark said.

When 2004 came around, the boys bought out Val when she semi-retired, continuing to work in the bakery for a short while.

With a combined total of 77 years of baking experience, the boys are continuing the family business with both of their wives Jacinta and Caroline also on board.

Bow Bakery has seven wholesale businesses they intermittently supply as well as catering for five football clubs during the season. This includes Minyip, Murtoa, Brim and Sea Lake.

They also cater for the Speed Field Days and supply bread to Jeparit and Rainbow Hospitals.

"It's our biggest event of the year," Mark said.

When asked about best memories, Mark said: "It all becomes a blur, but going into partnership with Mum is probably the best.

"When Dad died, Mum was running the bakery, while raising three kids and a young adult to give us a future.

"The community helped her out a lot."

Mark said the positive feedback from customers and word of mouth recognition had kept them going.

"We invested in the town, they repaid us, and now we're in a good enough position to give back."

The bakery has also jumped on board offering the community sponsorships, discounts and school awards.

Both Mark and Stuart now have their own children, who have also helped out at the bakery.

Mark has raised two sons with Stuart having two sons and a daughter.

"Our kids are lucky to have a country upbringing with community support," Mark said.

The business has grown with 14 front of house employees, part-time and casual, between both stores and have taken on their sixth apprentice.

Bow Bakery is located in Rainbow, 56 Federal Street, and Hopetoun, 82 Lascelles St, and both stores are open from 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

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