A Ferndale first

Ferndale is about to get its first vegan, gluten-free bakery thanks to Safflower Street Vegan Treats, 23131 Woodward Avenue. Baker Jillian Parsell and business partner Chris Pelak hope to open the space this April. “I had no idea the brick-and-mortar would be happening so soon, but I realized once I started selling to the restaurants I definitely had a lot more demand than supplies,” she said. Parsell – who last year was baking her sweet treats for eight different metro Detroit restaurants – said after they first open, their focus will be on the treats she’s become well-known for, like her take on a Sanders Bumpy Cake and Girl Scout Samoas cookies. From there, she has plans to add a few soups and pre-packaged grab-and-go meals, such as vegan mac and cheese, vegan pad thai, and spaghetti. “Just like everyday favorites that people can buy and keep in their fridge,” she said. Both Parsell and Pelak are excited to not only be a part of the Ferndale community but have a location where people can try things they may not know can be gluten-free or vegan, but still enjoy. ­Metro Intelligencer is a monthly column devoted to news stories, tidbits and gossip items about what's happening on the restaurant scene in the metro Detroit area. Metro Intelligencer is reported/created each month by Dana Casadei who can be reached at DanaCasadei@DowntownPublications.com with news items or tips, on or off the record.