Baking is pure love for Tara Hupp

Tara Hupp's childhood dream of one day owning her own business became a reality last month when she opened Pure Love Bakery.

Hupp started working toward her own bakery approximately seven years ago when she began making breads and cookies for family and friends, before expanding into cupcakes and cakes.

“Over time, I took my passion for baking and decorating and made it a home business. With the amazing support I have had from my customers, my husband, and my dad coming to work with me, we decided to expand into a full brick-and mortar-shop.”

The bakery offers a variety of items, including cakes, cupcakes, fudge, cookies, doughnuts and cheesecake. It also offers a service where patrons can paint their own cookies.

According to Hupp her interest in baking came from her desire to create things.

“It didn't matter how, I just wanted to be able to express myself through some sort of art,” Hupp said. “When I was a teenager, I loved sketching with charcoal pencils. I started scrapbooking after high school and had even more fun with it after my first son was born. I decided to try out baking for fun after my youngest was born, which turned into edible art. “

Customers can custom orders specialty cakes.

If a customer has an idea, Hupp said she will everything she can to make it happen.

“The prices vary based on cake size and design,” Hupp said.

The bakery’s most popular selling doughnuts are maple and bacon along with crème sticks.

First-time customers Maggie Cook and Alyssa Ingram of Cambridge recently stopped in to purchase items because they had heard good things about the bakery. While sisters Madison and Megan Devillez of Byesville have been regular customers since the business opened.

Madison who enjoys the cupcakes and Megan who likes the bakery’s doughnuts said they really like the convenient locatation right in the middle of town.

Hupp, a former resident of Byesville, picked the village as the shop’s location because she believes the village has so much potential. She recalls Byesville having been a booming village once and wants to try to bring some life back to it.

“Mayor (Jay) Jackson has been so encouraging and excited about bringing a little something to town,” Hupp said.

Hupp was able to open the shop with loan assistance from the Small Business Association and her husband Kenneth Jr. borrowing the remaining amount from his 401K.

According to Hupp, her husband and family have all been incredibly supportive of her.

Kenneth works nights at his job and then comes into the bakery and helps with what he can before heading home to get some sleep.

Pure Love Bakery employs nine people.

“I originally planned to operate the bakery with just myself and my dad but it took off so quick it was just not possible,” Hupp said.

Hupps father works at the bakery at night making the doughnuts while her stepmother works with him making the cheesecakes and pies. Her oldest son, who is 17, comes in in the evenings to do dishes and help with other tasks.

Hupp hopes to restart decorating classes that have been on hold due to the pandemic. The classes will be announced through an event page created on Facebook and pre-registration will be required.  Due to the small space for the classes, the class sizes will be small with limited availability.

When asked what makes her stand apart from other bakeries in Guernsey County Hupp responded, “I don't want to be like everyone else. Duff Goldman has been my inspiration to go above and beyond.  I want that wow factor. I also strive to make everything on your cake edible. I use fondant, buttercream, cookies, and other edible items to create what you want.”

The bakery is located at 142 S. Second St and is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to noon on the weekends.

The shop is in Byesville at 142 S. 2nd St. For more information, call 740-685-1133.

Correspondent Heather Sevigny contributed to this story.