General News
11 May, 2024
Rainbow family bakery reaches birthday milestone
Rainbow's family-owned Bow Bakery is marking its 50th anniversary this month.
Rainbow's family-owned Bow Bakery is marking its 50th anniversary this month.
Roger and Val Cocks, from Nhill, bought Bow Bakery in 1974 and became Rainbow locals, raising four children - Stuart, Sharon, Mark and Tracey.
Their eldest son Stuart left school in 1980, aged 16, to begin his baking apprenticeship under the instruction of Roger.
They then decided to purchase Warracknabeal Bakery in 1982, where selected goods were baked at Rainbow and Warracknabeal and transported between the stores.
In 1993, the family relocated to Warracknabeal where Roger was later diagnosed with cancer.
After 18 months he lost his battle, prompting Val to sell the Warracknabeal Bakery and move the family back to Rainbow.
"It was a short-lived venture," Mark said.
In 1984 Bob Abbott became employed as a baker with Stuart.
A few years later, Mark left school in 1991 and joined them.
In 2001 Mark and Stuart went into partnership with Val and opened the second bakery in Hopetoun.
When 2004 came around the boys bought out Val and she semi-retired, continuing to work in the bakery for a short while.
Now, Stuart and Mark are continuing the family business, having a combined total of 77 years of baking experience, with their wives Jacinta and Carolyn also on board.
They have 14 front of house employees, part-time and casual, between both stores, and have now taken on their sixth apprentice, excluding family members.
Bow Bakery has seven wholesale businesses they intermittently supply, and they cater for five football clubs during the season.
They also cater for Speed Field Days and supply bread to Jeparit and Rainbow hospitals.
When asked about best memories, Mark said: "It all becomes a blur, but going into partnership 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."
Mark said they didn't plan on expanding the business but are currently looking for a baker to join the team.
The position is full-time and qualifications aren't required.
"They can either have experience or are interested in food," Mark said.
Applications are still being accepted in store.
Read More: Rainbow