Nisu Bakery eager to open this summer, creates community space
You may have noticed a fresh sign on Quincy Street in Hancock. Irma Boyd, a new business owner, is bringing her ideas to fruition. Nisu Bakery will be open by June, assuming the final approvals and paperwork are finished by then. Boyd is energetic, determined and wants her business to be a place for the community.
For her, it’s more than the coffee, baked goods, soups, salads and sandwiches she wants to sell. It’s a place for your business to hold meetings, cater your small gatherings and even a spot to learn the Finnish language. Boyd shared her unique and fascinating story with Visit Keweenaw.
Boyd was born and raised in Sweden by her parents, who were born and raised in Finland.
However, her Copper Country story began before she was born. During the Great Depression, her grandfather left Finland to find work at the Quincy Mine. Oddly enough, her future husband’s grandmother was working at a hat milling company (where Millie’s Pizza is now) and sold a hat to Boyd’s grandfather. It was a gift for his wife, Boyd’s grandmother.
Flash forward some time, Boyd meets her military husband in Sweden while he was traveling. Though, their families had already met long ago in the Copper Country.
“My mom went through culinary school when she was younger,” said Boyd. “So, she was always baking. We woke up to fresh bread, we came home from school [and] there was fresh nisu. She was a homemaker and always doing all these things. So, I grew up with that.”
The business name comes from the delicious coffee cake treat called nisu and pays homage to the now-Yooper embraced “Sisu” which means strength and determination in Finnish. With a large Finnish population and that historic inclusion of the culture in the area, Nisu Bakery is a perfect fit for Hancock.
“We’re going to be steadily open Monday through Saturday,” said Boyd. “Sundays are for church.”
A lot of restaurants close on Monday or Tuesday in the Keweenaw. That gives people an exciting option that’s open all week.
“My plan here is to have meetings,” said Boyd. “I already had a board meeting here last week Tuesday. So, you can come here [in the future] and have your meeting. And of course there’s coffee and whatever. Also, book clubs. If some churches want to have bible studies, feel free to use this.”
Boyd says her bakery is going to have food that’s good for you.
“Be aware, this is not the place you find fried stuff,” said Boyd. “This is clean and healthy, Finnish, Swedish authentic stuff. Salads, they’re going to be the protein editions and fish and meat sandwiches – the same thing. It’s going to be a lot of shrimp and stuff like that. Turkey, nice turkey and ham.”
Boyd says the city of Hancock has been very supportive and helpful in her process. When Nisu Bakery opens, be sure to stop in and say hello or try some delicious Finnish/Swedish food.
