Pam Kaiser was all smiles on Friday as friends and community members embraced her at the ribbon-cutting for her new bakery. Put on by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce, the event was attended by community members ranging from members of the chamber to Chehalis Mayor Tony Ketchum.
For Kaiser, the experience was strange and exciting.
“It’s honestly been surreal, almost magical,” Kaiser told The Chronicle after the ribbon-cutting. “You have a dream and you work hard for it. … It’s pretty cool to go from a dream to a reality.”
Throughout the event, people approached Kaiser to express how excited they are for her new venture. When it came time to cut the ribbon, Kaiser held a pair of oversized scissors as people crowded around and cheered while photographers took her picture.
“Ah, I feel famous,” Kaiser said as she cut the ribbon in front of her bakery, Lucky ‘N Lawless.
Kaiser said the name Lucky ‘N Lawless came from her great-grandmother, who set her on the path to become a baker.
“(The name) is inspired by my great-grandma because she homesteaded in Montana and was the one who taught me how to bake,” Kaiser said. “It just pays tribute to her.”
Lucky ‘N Lawless is located at 1608 S. Gold St. in Centralia, just north of the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds. According to co-owner Seth Iversen, they selected the location because of the exposure and feel.
“The exposure was great. I really got a good feel from Matt, the owner of Sight and Sound,” Iversen said. “We were excited to turn it into a commercial kitchen. It’s just been a great location so far.”
Iversen, who Kaiser called her “partner in crime” while addressing the crowd before the ceremony, was friends with Kaiser and her husband, Steven, before going into business with them.
“My wife and I are family friends with the Kaisers and we just went in with them and found the building,” Iversen said. “Everyone just kind of pitched in what they could and it’s been going great so far.”
Kaiser told The Chronicle the community is crucial to the success of Lucky ‘N Lawless. She expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support the bakery has received.
“The community has been second to none in supporting us and it’s been magical,” Kaiser said.
Asked if there was anyone she wanted to thank, Kaiser told The Chronicle she wanted to thank the residents of the area.
“Just thank you to the community for their support and their love,” Kaiser said. “I couldn’t do it without them.”
Kaiser said the opening already surpassed her expectations. She wants Lucky ‘N Lawless to continue to grow.
“This has already exceeded (my goals),” Kaiser said. “I just want to keep growing and expand the wholesale side and keep engaged with the community and have fun with this.”
