A father’s love and a daughter’s determination helped start a new business in Great Falls. What used to be a barbecue restaurant has now become Brick House Bakerythat can make and bake anything you can think of.
Amanda Brooks started several months ago at the mise-en-place “Ghost Kitchen,” which featured chefs and rotating menus, and has been at its new location at 1720 10th Avenue South since mid-December and it was easy for him to come up with a name for his new business.
“I was actually a roller derby girl here for Electric City Roller Girls, and my nickname was Brickhouse Brooks. I broke my leg really bad, and this was an inspiration. It’s been amazing since I started in August.”
Brooks runs the bakery without a menu so he can test his limits and baking skills. Brooks says the lack of a menu allows her to be more creative and create what she and her customers want. Brooks added that she doesn’t normally make gluten-free treats, but she added that she has friends with celiac disease and can make gluten-intolerant snacks.
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“It’s been pretty busy. I make everything from scratch and I’ve been baking for a long time. The amount of support I’ve gotten has been insane. I never in a million years thought I’d be this busy.”
While the past few weeks have been busy, Brooks has noticed that recent egg prices are affecting business, but he has been able to stay busy and continue to make product.
“Sometimes it’s hard to even find eggs, let alone pay $27 for five dozen,” Brooks said.
While she makes all the treats and sweets in the back, her father, Del Voss, is on 10th Avenue holding a sign to help usher customers into the bakery. Even in freezing temperatures, he is doing everything he can to help his daughter’s business succeed.
“The last two weeks have been tremendous,” he said.
For now, the bakery is open on weekends, but soon it will be open full time, allowing Amanda to fulfill a lifelong dream.
“It means everything. I’ve been working another full-time job and I’m so excited to be doing this. I’ve always dreamed of owning my own bakery. My dad has always been there for me and been a great help. So it’s amazing when he He comes in and just says he’s going to do the dishes. It was kind of a let’s see kind of thing and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger.”
Voss says he not only meets new people who come into the bakery, but also sees his daughter at work and couldn’t be more proud of her.
“It took a lot of work to start this business. I’m so happy to be a part of it. I really am.”
The bakery’s current hours are weekends from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., but Brooks will have full-time hours beginning February 7. It is located at 1720 10th Avenue South, Unit #1.
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