DETROIT (WWJ) - The future of Michigan's iconic Bumpy Cakes remains shrouded in uncertainty as the exhaustive search for a new bakery partner to take over making the sweet treat continues to drag on.
Vic Mehren, Chief Executive Officer, took to Facebook on Tuesday morning to announce the latest in their efforts to find another bakery that can produce the iconic cakes, known for its “bumps” buttercream cream and created by Sanders founder Fred Sanders more than 120 years ago.
The search was sparked in August after the owners of Livonia-based Minnie Marie Bakers, Inc. -- known as Awrey’s Bakery and a long-time partner and producer of Bumpy Cakes -- unexpectedly announced their production facility off Farmington Road would be closing in September.
In the six to eight since the announcement, Sander's parent company, Second Nature Brands, have talked a number of local and national bakeries that can make their Bumpy Cakes, which come in flavors of chocolate, vanilla cream, and carrot cake.
But none of the talks have been promising -- and time is running out.
"After conversations with more than a dozen bakeries, we have not yet found a new partner who can maintain the high quality and classic taste that our consumers expect and deserve," Mehren wrote on Facebook. "Unfortunately, this means that Bumpy Cakes will soon be out of stock until we can find a new bakery partner with the capabilities to get us back into production."
Mehren went on to say the news was not something the company expected and their search has been exhaustive. Awrey's in Livonia have been making their iconic cakes since the mid-90s.
Bumpy Cakes are still available to purchase at Sanders stores in Clinton Township and Rochester, online at SandersCandy.com or at select Michigan retailers, but Mehren warned that "based on our estimates, we will likely be out of stock by the end of the year."
"Bumpy Cakes is an important part of the Sanders business and legacy, and we know Bumpy Cakes hold a special place in your lives and celebrations and in the culture of Michigan," Mehren continued. "This is why recent events are so disappointing but also why we are committed to being able to make Bumpy Cakes again with a new partner in the future."
The chief executive officer went on to thank customers for their understanding and support during this "hopefully short time of uncertainty for Bumpy Cakes."