Heritage Bakery and Cafe embodies warm, welcoming environment
Andrea, Sophie and Kate Weaver enjoy breakfast at Heritage Bakery for the first time.
Review (AC): The coffee at Heritage was very full-bodied and slightly acidic. It was the first coffee that I’ve ever liked black.
While it may seem like any other coffee and pastry shop, at Heritage Bakery and Cafe, the bright light from the windows and colorful display case, combined with the aroma of fresh coffee and warmth from the active oven, creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere unlike any other.
“I love working with colors and ingredients and I love providing a small space for people to get together,” said owner Isabelle Vento, who has achieved just that.
Vento has been making pastries with her father since she was a child and has loved it ever since. Heritage Bakery and Cafe has been providing customers with pastries, coffee, and many vegan and gluten-free options for almost five years in downtown Harrisonburg. Vento is proud to say that her bakery is for everyone to come with friends or alone.
The black coffee at Heritage is “full-bodied and slightly acidic.”
“I think that was important when we opened this place was that everyone felt welcome and not just like a bar scene where there’s a certain crowd, it’s nice to do it all.” Isabelle told us, saying that her bakery is very popular with the college students living close to downtown.
Upon our visit, there were a variety of customers ranging from senior citizens to a young family, which perfectly encaptured the goal of Heritage Bakery and Cafe. Andrea Weaver came to Heritage with her two teenage daughters, Sophie and Kate. The Weavers had heard great things but never visited, so they decided to stop in for a quick brunch on their way home.
“I had the spinach and egg and cheese croissant. It’s perfect.” Andrea said.
When asked what made Heritage unique compared to other coffee shops, Andrea said, “It’s a really tastefully decorated space. Just in general, some of it is like the plates that they use, the china, the ambience, the really good quality and seems like they have a sense of community here and being connected.”
She compared it to a place like Starbucks, stating that chain cafes just want your money and lack a sense of community. “But a place like this is the best for the community, they want it to be successful.”
