Doughnuts to scones: Kansas City bakery scrambles to keep up with demand on ‘day one’

It was “day one” at the new Penny’s Bakery on Friday and by mid-morning the cases were already half empty as staff scrambled to make more treats.

Owners Penny Romero and Rick Ramsey had previously owned and operated Ramsey’s Burgers in the freestanding building with a drive-thru at 13109 Holmes Road. But they struggled to staff it during the pandemic so it closed in November.

With the new venture, Rick insisted it be named after Penny. Their pastry chef, Brittany Brittin, also has a daughter, Penelope, that she calls Penny.

Brittin said scones and chocolate cupcakes “are my thing,” as she set up pans of butter and flour to make more. They also were a top choice with customers Friday, along with brownies.

The shop will offer such items as chocolate cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting, birthday cake-flavored doughnuts, strawberries dipped in white chocolate with chocolate swirl, banana nut muffins, apple fritters, protein bars, cookies, brownies, lemon bars and cinnamon rolls. Flavors of some items may change daily.

The shop also sells freshly made tortillas and bread, and will soon add dinner rolls and baguettes.

Penny’s Bakery will be open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

The bakery has its first wholesale client, Martin City Coffee next door, which Romero and Ramsey also own. Penny’s Bakery will supply the tortillas for the coffee shop’s popular breakfast burritos and the couple hope to add more wholesale clients. They also would like to bring back Ramsey’s Burgers at some point.

This story was originally published April 16, 2022 at 5:00 AM.