Batter & Mac, you got us in the first half.
“Today we closed the doors on Batter & Mac for the last time.” That’s how the bakery, which has locations in Bay View and Menomonee Falls, started off its Aug. 10 social media post.
But, if you kept reading, you discovered that the business is rebranding and reopening both of its locations as Gather Bakehouse — with the same heart, a stronger vision and a whole lot more butter, per the post. Gather made its Bay View debut Aug. 12 and will be opening in the Falls Aug. 13.
The business will be missing the “Mac” part, aka the macarons, with their maker, Kasey Gusho, stepping away from the operation, according to her sister, Brittany Wohlfeil. The sisters co-founded the business.
Batter & Mac began as two separate businesses: Out of their home kitchens, Wohlfeil baked cakes (the “Batter”) and Gusho made macarons (the “Mac”).
They sold their goods at farmers markets, then opened in a 300-square-foot Menomonee Falls kitchen in 2021. The bakery grew so popular, it relocated to a 2,400-square-foot space, at N89 W16750 Appleton Ave., in the Falls within two years.
In October 2024, the sisters opened up shop in Bay View, at 1100 E. Oklahoma Ave., which was formerly home to Canfora Bakery and Lakeside Bakery. At 3,400 square feet, the space was considerably larger than the business’ Falls location and also came with a full commercial production space in the back.
“What started in a cramped little kitchen has survived pandemics, floods, eggs costing $1 million, and plenty of growing pains,” the bakery’s Aug. 10 post read. “Some chapters are meant to be short — and some just pave the way for something better.”
Wohlfeil will remain at the helm, along with mother, Geri Voboril. The staff and bakers will be the same, too, according to Wohlfeil.
“I love to bake. I love having this business. I love the community around it,” Wohlfeil said. “And then, we also have staff who are passionate and who depend on having a place to come to work. There’s also a sense of obligation to keep going — even when things are tough — for our staff and for our community.”
Fan favorites — looking at you, hot ham and rolls — aren’t going anywhere. Some of the bakery’s other offerings include full cakes, croissants, cookies, crookies (a croissant with a cookie baked inside), brownies, muffins, cheese pockets, pastries, doughnuts and more.
The bakery’s custom cakes and coffee component, as well as the Falls’ baking and cooking classes, will continue on as well.
Wohlfeil plans to fill the mac-less void by focusing on other offerings.
Gather will be expanding its bread offerings — adding more sourdoughs, including a sourdough of the month, ciabatta and a white sandwich bread — as well as its sandwich options, adding breakfast ones into the mix.
The bakery will soon be rolling out cakes by the slice. There will be different flavors available regularly, along with a rotating special. Customers can purchase a piece for themselves or an assortment for a gathering.
“We’re going to try to use unique flavor combinations and just kind of have fun with it and make them very beautiful and lovely,” Wohlfeil said.
For the Falls location, Wohlfeil hopes to add charcuterie board-making supplies, including cheeses and meats.
“Takeover Weekends,” featuring on-theme treats and festivities, will make their return. Past themes have included “Wicked” and the ’90s. For a past Taylor Swift album drop, the bakery had themed food and drinks, special merch, friendship bracelet-making and an album listening party.
Wohlfeil expects to do something similar for whenever Swift releases her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
What if I have a Batter & Mac gift card?
Batter & Mac gift cards, as well as NuMarket credits from the bakery’s campaign, will continue to be accepted at Gather Bakehouse, Wohlfeil said.
Hours for Gather Bakehouse, formerly Batter & Mac, in Bay View and Menomonee Falls
Bay View: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Menomonee Falls: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Rachel Bernhard of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Batter & Mac has become Gather Bakehouse. Fan favorites will remain (minus the macarons)
Reporting by Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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