Lickity Split Bakery
87 South Main Street (Hwy. 191)
Blanding, Utah, 84511
Phone: (435) 459-9455
Hours of Operation: Monday thru Friday, 8am to 1pm; Seasonal
Nowadays, the American
economy is full of unemployment; federal and state funds being consumed by
teenagers living on welfare due to unplanned pregnancies; an American school
system that does not provide skills for adulthood. Small towns can no longer expect their
children to live on the laurels of their ancestors; this does not bring food to
the family table, nor put savings in the bank to reach financial goals. In fact, small towns will eventually shrink
smaller and become ghost towns; adult age young people are leaving for the big
cities where the jobs, and money, are.
How about a concept that
is not novel, but might save the future of a small town? A business that employs youths between the
ages of 10 to 18; teaches them business and life skills; manners and customer
relations; teaches them skills that provides a platform to grow in life??? Yes, such a business does exist, right here
in Blanding, Utah; established in 2004 by Elaine Borgen, a volunteer with
AmeriCorps Vista. Currently, she resides
in Henderson, Nevada where she runs an Artisan Bakery for homeless women;
teaching them skills to go forth in life with goals. At first the shop was known as “Lickity Split
Chocolates”, homemade chocolates that were so delicious and scrumptious;
however, it became too well known and successful. Orders for locals, and for shipping to other
areas, simply became too much to handle.
The youth worked primarily just to fill orders; education was becoming
second best.
Back to the drawing board,
and “Lickity Split Bakery” was born in 2008; baked in the shop cakes, cookies
and pies; breakfast fare such as quiche and crepes; lunch specials all locals
love, Navajo Tacos. 2016 and the bakery
is going strong, and I was able to stop in one Wednesday to speak with Chef
Leon Sampson; one of the instructors and mentors of the children. This gentleman beams with pride as he talks
about “the little bakers”; while mainly Navajo, any child between the age of 10
to 18, who resides in San Juan County, is welcomed to come to the shop to learn
and work. He shows off the goods they
have created and explains, “Lickity Split Bakery provides a community service
for young people; they become skilled in business/work ethics, nutrition in
food, life in general. After high school
graduation, they now know where their next step in life leads; whether to
college or business directly, they can make a choice on their own.”
Leon’s own son, Trevor
Sampson, is currently a CEO of Lickity Split Bakery…he’s only 16 years
old! Elysia is one of the Navajo young
ladies who has worked at the Bakery for five years now; she is not only adept
at baked goods, but runs the front counter with ease. Her favorite part of the entire experience,
well the baking of course!
Two items tried out that
morning were the, and this was literally a mouthful, “Pumpkin Almond Cinnamon
Roll with Orange Scented Cream Cheese Frosting”; try saying that three times
fast. As with any cinnamon roll, the
outside layer had a crispness, but the inside layers were pillowy soft and
moist; the frosting silky smooth with the correct hint of orange to tease the
senses. Then there was the Biscuit
Crusted Bacon Cheddar Quiche; rich, eggy goodness full of onions, bacon and
cheddar that slapped the taste buds up one side and down the other. It was difficult, oh so difficult, not to
buy and try the Blueberry Scone (I swear it was about 5” x 7” large); colorful
Ice Box Cookies; or chocolate drizzled Chocolate Almond Cookies.
 |
| Pumpkin Almond Cinnamon Roll with Orange Scented Cream Cheese Frosting |
 |
| Inside the Cinnamon Roll |
 |
| Bacon Cheddar Quiche with Biscuit Crust |
 |
| Blueberry Scones |
 |
| Chocolate Almond Cookies |
 |
| Icebox Cookies |
 |
| New Ice Cream Shoppe |
Currently, Lickity Split
Bakery is open Monday thru Friday, 8am to 1pm; it is also only open seasonally,
due to the fact the children must attend their regular schools during the
year. On July 4, 2016, a second shop was
opened on Main Street, next to the San Juan Theatre, which will serve ice
cream, cookies and crepes.
Imagine though, if a work
study program could be established; where these wonderful, bright, imaginative
10 to 18 year olds could gain school credit for the skills learned at the
bakery. Imagine if such a program could
happen in all the small towns, not just within San Juan County, but throughout
the United States. No, not a novel
concept; perhaps a scary one to those who hold on tightly to the laurels of
their ancestors; but then again, this is the 21st century and the
universe is infinite.
