We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher McCarthy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
There are two major drivers behind why I wanted to start my own business.

First, I have always had this specific idea for a bakery or cafe. Sinister Bakers is a truly unique approach, and I wanted the chance to prove it would work. I love the creative side of the business and I also love the structured side. I have always found it difficult to work for other people and helping them get rich or by helping some faceless corporation meet some arbitrary financial goal. I wanted to create something from the ground up, something I could call my own, and something which would allow me to use my creativity, experience, and knowledge to help make people happy. I also wanted to give my kids something that would make them proud of their father.

Second, I needed a way to be able to contribute to my retirement because I am not sure depending solely on Social Security is a smart idea. There are not many feet left on my runway, so long term investing is out of the question. The strategy now is to build out a brick and mortar bakery and cafe, create a huge success, and then hopefully find a buyer. Sinister Bakers is a unique concept, easily carves out a unique place in the market, has excellent recipes, and is highly creative. All of this combines with the entire branding concept and we think it is a great acquisition.

What should our readers know about your business?
Absolutely, I would love that. The idea for Sinister Bakers started decades ago. When I first started baking at home, my three children would come home from school, grab a stick of butter, and eat an entire loaf of Ciabatta Bread. It was so good, they started calling it “Ciabatta Crack”. Conversations with the three of them seemed to always center around making up weird, silly, and odd names for whatever I was making in the kitchen. Together, we created the idea for Sinister Bakers – a playful, irreverent, unique approach to baked goods.

Currently, we have two separate operations. First, through the Colorado Cottage Food Act, we bake all types of special order treats in our dungeon laboratory in Erie, Colorado. Most people call us to order their favorites, or they order through the website. Usually we can deliver these locally for free. We have catered bridal and baby showers, recital receptions, and birthday bashes. Because we are a small operation we can sometimes do what other shops can’t. Once, I received a call at 8:00 at night for a birthday cake for the next morning. The woman on the phone forgot to order a cake for her son’s birthday, so we stayed up late on a Friday night to help create a special day for someone who undoubtedly deserved it.

We also operate a very eerie Cafe on the Boulder County Campus of Front Range Community College in Longmont, Colorado. We have some of the best coffee in Boulder County roasted by our friends Lynn and Eric at ResQ Coffees right here in Longmont. We brew roasted beans coffee from a single family farm, grown in the volcanic mountain region of Brazil. Typically, Espresso roasts are a combination of two different beans. Our Espresso uses a combination of three different beans to bring a robust, full bodied taste to all of our craft drinks. Even our cold brew is specially roasted and ground for cold temperatures.

Our Cafe is a scratch kitchen – meaning we make almost everything we sell. All of our breakfast and lunch “sandwitches” are made right in our kitchen We craft our own coffee syrups, blend our own hot cocoa mix, and concoct our own Chai Latte Mix. Our baked evil staples (we have a hard time saying baked “goods”) Include a Blueberry Muffin, Cadaver Cake, Boulder Bomb, Body Snatcher Brownies, Satan Spice Cookies and an adult version of the traditional Chocolate Chip Cookies made with browned butter, a greater percentage of brown sugar, and dark chocolate chips. I have always believed if you are going to do something, you should try to do it right. The difference in taste between a store bought coffee syrup and one freshly made with simple, great ingredients is amazing.

Right now Sinister Bakers Cafe is open year round, Monday through Friday 8:00 am until 2:30 pm. We especially enjoy serving our business and residential neighbors, although sometimes it is difficult for someone to overcome the hurdle of entering a college campus building. We try very hard to help everyone understand that the building is public and you can walk right in, just like a library or town hall.

So many people comment positively on our branding. They love the decor, the atmosphere, and our unique approach to naming all of the items we make. We even had a pastor buy a Satan Spice Cookie because they couldn’t resist the idea of polar opposites coming together!

Food and pastries can be such a fun part of life and we decided not to take ourselves too seriously. Well, we take our craft, safety, and sanitary practices very seriously. However, we believe a pastry and coffee business should be fun. People can come to Sinister Bakers Cafe to enjoy the experience in addition to phenomenal food and exceptional coffee and take a break from the daily “grind.”

Sinister Bakers is also a double entendre. Sinister is the Latin word for “on the left”. Our chef de patisserie is left handed. So, we basically have a sinister, sinister baker.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would want to take them to some of the places in Longmont, in addition to some of the great things Denver has to offer. First, Longmont has some great restaurants from the fine dining at Sugarbeet and Martinis Bistro, to staples Georgia Boys BBQ, Lucile’s Creole Cafe, West Side Tavern, and Mike O’Shays. Of course there is always the Nashville Reaper Hot Chicken at 300 Suns!

I would love to take them to a sporting event at Ball Arena, Coors Field, or Mile High Stadium. There is always a great production happening at the DCPA.

Other attractions close to Denver, but inside would be a concert or movie at Red Rocks, The Garden of the Gods, and any number of superb breweries. There is always high tea at The Brown Palace! Oh, and let’s not forget the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, The Denver Art Museum, The Denver Zoo, or The Botanical Gardens. Definitely Elitch’s Gardens Amusement Park

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shout out to my soulmate, Melissa Ann Strand Fike. Without her encouragement and support there would be no Sinister Bakers. She is a true partner, adding value and strength to the goal. She understands what I am trying to accomplish and has a keen eye for business success. In addition, she is very creative and a perfect partner to brainstorm with and help with problem solving. Never have I felt so loved and so supported. She is always there to quell my doubts, raise my spirits, and celebrate my victories. There is no one I would rather be with on this journey. She is amazing.

Website: www.sinisterbakers.com and www.sinisterbakerscafe.com

Instagram: @sinisterbakers

Twitter: @sinisterbakers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SinisterBakers

Image Credits
Christopher McCarthy

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