Bumpy Cake Nears the End of its Production

Longtime bakery, Awrey’s in Livonia, has announced its permanent closure, putting an end to its production of cakes, cookies, and other baked goods. More significantly, this closure impacts the production of the iconic Sanders Bumpy Cake, which was also manufactured by Awrey’s owner, Minnie Marie Bakers Inc.

Minnie Marie Bakers, a national contract bakery facility, acquired Awrey’s in 2013 and announced that it planned to close in September. The Livonia Outlet store has already closed, and the production facility is also permanently closed.

This causes a predicament for Sanders’ parent company, Second Nature Brands, which is now searching for a new partner to produce the Bumpy Cake. It’s expected that inventory of the beloved cake will be fully depleted by the end of the year.

CEO of Second Nature Brands, Victor Mehren, expressed his disappointment over the supply disruption, which will be a blow to loyal Michigan-area customers. He described the news of Awrey’s closure as unexpected and has since been seeking a partner to continue the production of Bumpy Cakes.

“This will be disappointing news for all our loyal Michigan-area customers that grew up with Bumpy Cake in their lives,” Victor Mehren, Second Nature Brands CEO, said. “We are very disappointed, in fact, heartbroken to have a supply disruption at this point in time, as well.”

Detroit Free Press

Unexpected Bumpy Cake Production Disruption

The disruption in Bumpy Cake production is the second for the company in a year, following the temporary pause of production for its fudge toppings due to supply challenges. However, production of the toppings resumed in early August.

The Bumpy Cake, known for its unique “bumps” of buttercream on top, has been produced at Awrey’s facility since the mid-‘90s. Second Nature Brands, which purchased Sanders in 2018, is dedicated to maintaining the cake’s unique production process, recipe, and quality.

“We got the news that Awrey’s was going out of business, that’s where we made our cakes and immediately got concerned about how we’re going to continue that,” Mehren said. “We were hopeful that someone might buy them and come in … another bakery that might keep us going. But it was a surprise and fully unexpected when they told us that.”

Detroit Free Press

Second Nature Brands has seen significant growth since its purchase of Sanders and its continued ownership of Michigan-born Kar’s Nuts. However, with the supply of Bumpy Cakes expected to become scarce, the company suggests consumers try a recipe from Taste of Home and recommends freezing the cakes for longer storage.