After 40 years of owning and operating Cedarbrook Bakery and Bistro, the Peterses have sold the well-loved shop in Brookswood.
But the bakery, deli and bistro Ron and Mark Peterse developed is in good hands with another community-minded Langley family taking over.
Dana Matheson, owner of C&D Logistics, president of the Langley Rams and founder of the Fraser Valley Family Day at LEC, has purchased Cedarbrook Bakery. He will run the bakery with his wife Laurel and her parents.
Legacy will continue
“We will carry the torch and continue to build on a strong legacy that Ron and Mark Peterse built and carried for almost 40 years. Cedarbrook Bakery and Bistro is a true gem in the heart of an amazing community,” said Matheson on Wednesday.
In a letter to customers, friends and family, Mark wrote on the Cedarbrook Facebook page that he had sold the family business that has thrived for nearly 40 years with loyal customers and bread baked daily.
“I am writing this letter with mixed emotions in announcing that I have sold Cedarbrooks Bakery Ltd.,” Peterse wrote. “My father, Ron Peterse started this bakery [in] 1977 and developed amazing relationships with our suppliers, our customers and our community. I purchased the shares of Cedarbrook from my Dad in August 2008 and was so thankful to be able to continue the family name in our industry and our community.”
But in 2013, Peterse said he “followed a childhood dream and joined the RCMP as a constable, policing the City of Surrey,” he said. It has kept him very busy and he was struggling to maintain the high level that they have set for themselves at the bakery, deli and bistro.
While he had several offers to buy the bakery, Peterse said he only would sell to someone who lived locally and was community-minded, and the Mathesons were the perfect fit.
Small businesses matter
“The Mathesons value small business,” Peterse said. Matheson was named the U40 businessperson of the year award winner at last year’s Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce business awards. He is involved in a number of local charities. He has two young children, who he is sure will enjoy being part of the bakery side of things, he said.
The staff will stay the same, including head baker Marvin who has been there for 27 years and has all the recipes memorized. As well, Lisa, the front end manager, “who is a mainstay” at the bakery will be there, said Matheson.
“This will be more of a family venture for us, and we will look forward to being a large part of the Brookswood/ South Langley community, and continuing on with the Peterse family values.”
To honour the Peterse tradition, Matheson will carry on supporting Cops 4 Cancer. On Saturday, June 11 — to coincide with Brookswood Days — Cedarbrook will be giving 50 per cent of all sales to Cops 4 Cancer. There will be balloons, cookies for kids and more.
“Cops 4 Cancer has been the bakery’s charity of choice over the course of the past few years, and I know that Mark rides in the event, so we want to continue in support of that charitable endeavour. We want to encourage families to pop in and say hello.”
Famous for their giant cookies, cakes and sandwiches — Matheson’s favourite is the apple bombs — everybody’s favorites will still be there, with one added bonus coming just in time for summer.
The Mathesons will be bringing 24 flavors of gelato to the bakery.
Cedarbrook bakery is located at 4123 200 St.
