How sweet it is
Local eatery changes hands, but it’s all in the family
Nicole Tavenner
A variety of fresh doughnuts tempt customers daily.
Nicole Tavenner
Deneya Humphrey works in her 22nd year at Lake City Bakery in Polson
Caleb M. Soptelean
Mike Humphrey works with dough in the basement of Lake City Bakery and Eatery in Polson.
Nicole Tavenner
Lake City Bakery and Eatery serves doughnuts, pastries and coffee, plus a full menu of breakfast and lunch options.
Nicole Tavenner
Caleb M. Soptelean
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
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Not much has changed through the years at Lake City Bakery and Eatery, and owner Mike Humphrey likes it that way.
Humphrey, 53, was 10 when he began working in the store that his mom and dad, Larry and Marilyn Humphrey, founded in 1970 in downtown Polson. What began as mixing dough and greasing pans blossomed into baking, which has become a lifelong love for Mike.
His dad taught him how to bake, much of which he learned from Mike’s grandfather, Bud Rose. Larry Humphrey still owns and runs Brianna’s Bakery in Gillette, Wyoming, where he’s been 20 years, Mike said.
One can imagine Mike continuing to work for many more years too. Much of his time is spent preparing dough and baking in the basement of the building at 49493 Highway 93.
Mike purchased the business in April from his mother, and the only thing that’s changed since then is the music. Mike’s wife, Deneya Humphrey, began playing Christian music from 88.7 FM, K-Love.
Deneya, who works in the restaurant as a cook and server, used to play the music in the kitchen, where she began working in 1995 when Mike’s mother found out that she was a cook while she was dating Mike. The couple married in 2000.
“A lot of people like it,” Deneya said. “We’ve had one complaint.” A Biblical saying from Deuteronomy 8:3, “Man shall not live by bread alone…” can be seen on a wall where Marilyn Humphrey had it painted years ago.
Mike is happy to continue that theme. “It’s our ministry to serve people and be thankful for them,” he said.
The restaurant is noted for its cream-filled maple bars, Mike said, noting his father’s special recipe includes a mixture of vanilla pudding and whipped cream.
But it’s not just doughnuts and pastries that bring customers back again and again. The grill is open for breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Burgers, sandwiches and soups are some of the menu items.
Deneya notes that the business serves three soups each day, and vegetable soup and chili are available all the time. The restaurant employs five to eight people, depending on the season.
“I love this little business,” said Deneya, 48. “It’s like family. My customers are like family. I feel like I’ve got the best crew ever.”
The business, which is located next to Beacon Tire, can be reached at 406-883- 5667.
