Easthampton Small Oven bakery grew business thanks to Kickstarter community support

By ELIZABETH LaFOND-COPPEZ
Special to The Republican

EASTHAMPTON - In the pre-dawn darkness, Small Oven on Union Street lights up the street and warms the soul.

Inside, amid the hum of the ovens, emerge the sweet and savory smells of croissants, sticky buns and fresh-baked bread.

Owners Julie Copoulos and Amanda Milazzo work quickly and efficiently, preparing their specialties before the doors open at 7.

In business for almost one year, Copoulos and Milazzo made their dream come true thanks to the support of their community.

Using Kickstarter.com, says Copoulos, was a “no brainer” for her and Milazzo to raise the funds they needed to open their business. “Kickstarter was a resource and a great way to see if we had community support, because if you don’t have the community’s support you can’t sustain a business,” Copoulos said.

Over 200 people donated money to help Copoulos and Milazzo open Small Oven. "We were overwhelmed, and we couldn't believe it," Copoulos said. "It was very humbling."
Copoulos' specialty is making breads, while Milazzo's specialty is cakes.

Copoulos studied medicine in college but realized her passion was in baking breads.
"I love that baking bread is new every day," she said. "You have so many variables in the environment. The look and smell of it today is different than yesterday, and it changes according to season and temperature so the science of it is fun for me."

Milazzo enjoys creating sweets like cakes, as they represent merriment. Although working in many roles in the food industry, six years ago she went to school to study the art of pastry making and found her passion.

“I love creating cakes because they are pristine,” Milazzo said. “I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and I love that about cakes. Cakes are about celebrations, and it’s nice to be involved in the good things in people’s lives.”

A very important part to the Small Oven business is the purchase of as many ingredients locally as possible, the two say.

"We use Mapleline Farms in Hadley and Mountain View Farm in Easthampton for local dairy and produce," Copoulos said. "We feel lucky to have this opportunity."
Milazzo added, "We also use Parkhill Orchard in Easthampton for berries."

On the menu, patrons will find Atomic Coffee from Salem, along with tea from the Tea Guys Tea in Hatfield.

Copoulos and Milazzo let the produce of the season guide them as they make tartes, quiches, pies, cupcakes, baguettes and bread based on the freshest ingredients available from the region’s farms and orchards.

Sandwiches like “Boston brisket with house aioli and Swiss,” or “Tarragon Chicken Salad,” and soups and yogurt with granola are also available each day.

Choosing Easthampton as the location of their bakery was a simple decision, according to Copoulos and Milazzo.

"There was no bakery in Easthampton, and we love it here," Milazzo said.
Their advice to all small business owners is also simple.

Copoulos says it involves hard work. “Be sure you plan properly, take time for yourself when you can, and don’t sweat the small stuff,” she said.

And, Milazzo said, it’s OK to ask for help: “Have patience with yourself and others. You can’t do everything yourself.”

Both look forward to celebrating their the one-year anniversary of Small Oven.

"We take one day at a time, but we are excited to have a big party for our anniversary," Copoulos said. "We are so excited each month that goes by – Amanda keeps track!"

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