By: Jennifer Britt
The Parsons Advocate
Anyone wishing to satisfy a sweet tooth or a craving for a fresh pepperoni roll should visit Crystal’s Bakery. Crystal Nutter started her business by serving customers out of a small window that was adjacent to Fat Olives on July 11, 2022. Since then, Nutter has relocated to her own store at 102 Walnut Street in downtown Parsons, on December 1, 2022.
The bakery offers a wide selection of fresh baked sweet goodies that include cookies, apple crisp, apple dumplings, and peanut butter lasagna. Nutter said, “One of our biggest sellers is peanut butter lasagna.” Apple, cherry, peanut butter, and pumpkin pies can be made to order. Nutter says her specialty is peperoni rolls. Customers can also stop in for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and a homemade donut.
There are many varieties of peperoni rolls available. For $3 each, customers can purchase mozzarella cheese, pepper jack cheese, or no cheese. These can also be purchased by the dozen for $30. Philly steak and cheese rolls are also available for $3.99 each or $42 for a dozen. Nutter explained how peperoni rolls got her started in the business by saying, “I started making peperoni rolls at the school and everybody loved them. Then someone at work said, “Why don’t you open your own bakery?” So that is how this all started with peperoni rolls and then we expanded.”
Nutter is one busy mom with three grown children, one 16-year-old still at home, and four grandchildren. Not only does she run the bakery with the help of her daughter, Michelle Loria, but she is also the Cafeteria Manager at the Davis Thomas Elementary School. Also, on Friday’s, Nutter will make deliveries to Elkins.
Nutter credits her finance’ Michael Simpson for getting her started in the bakery business. Nutter said, “He is the one that really got me into doing it.” Loria added, “If it was not for him, it would not be possible.” Nutter said her family, coworkers, and customers were her biggest supporters. Nutter said, “We have regular customers that come in here almost every day.”
Crystal’s Bakery can be found on Facebook where Nutter post different specials of a variety of treats that are available like the hot cocoa cheesecake, Oreo bar cheesecake or the fresh O’Henry bars. The bakery is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Customers can place an order by calling 304- 642-8895.