58 November 2013 SheMagaz ine.com

PHOTOGRAPHED BY NDC PHOTOGRAPHYSHOP TALK IN EVERY ISSUE

Ellen Cooke has always wanted a bakery. She remembersbaking “cold oven” pound cakes to sell at bake sales whenshe was a cheerleader at Myrtle Beach High School. Whenshe became pregnant with her first child in 1974, she took ayear of cake decorating classes so she would be able todecorate birthday cakes for her children. At that time, shehad no idea that God was using that experience to prepareher to fulfill her lifelong dream.

Bob Freeman’s dad, Jim, opened Freeman’s Bakery in 1964.Years later, Ellen’s husband worked for Bob and Ann, who bythis time had bought it from Jim. Ellen helped part-time duringthe holidays (while she also worked at Cracker Barrel). In Aprilof 2000, the Cookes became equal owners of the bakery whenthe Freemans retired and decided to sell. Several years later,Ellen’s marriage dissolved, her then ex-husband decided to pur-sue other interests and Ellen purchased his half and becamesole owner of Freeman’s Bakery in 2008.

At that time, Ellen declared Freeman’s to be her ministry. Shewas determined to run the business with godly principles andto have a family atmosphere among her employees. She treatsthem with respect and expects them to do the same with theircustomers. Ellen shared, “I literally have the sweetest, mostcaring ladies on the ‘front lines’ at the bakery. I want customersto feel special when they enter our doors.”

With about twenty employees, Ellen sometimes feels like amother with twenty children all vying for her attention at once.

She tells us that many years ago, she read The Five LoveLanguages by Gary Chapman. In it, she learned that each ofus feels loved in different ways. She tries to apply theseprinciples not only with her employees but also with her fourchildren and eight grandchildren. As a Christian, Ellen hastried to instill godly principles in everyone she has influenceover. She believes that “Character is who you are when noone is looking.” However, there is usually somebody looking,even if you are not aware of it.

Freeman’s is one of only a few full-line scratch bakeries in thecountry and only one of three in South Carolina. “Our ingredientsare all natural, no preservatives or additives, just like they wouldhave been used 50 years ago by the Freemans. We still squeezecookies by hand and even mix and make our icing fromscratch.” They also make their pie dough and press it intospecial pans with a 50-year-old pie press. At Freeman’s, every-thing is baked daily, including breads and seasonal favoritesduring Thanksgiving and Christmas. Freeman’s also delivers andhas the largest selection of birthday candles in Florence County.The store has a small gift shop as well, complete with gift bags.Also available are assorted cookie and pastry trays.

One of Ellen’s long-term goals has been to do more catering(which she did years ago). With the facility and the workers nowavailable, she started breakfast catering over a year ago.Recently, they have added finger-lunches to the menu. Theirbiggest project so far was the SHE Inspires event in October at

the SiMT that several hundred women attended. The menusare flexible… just ask! If they use breads or spreads, Freeman’smakes them from scratch. Fruits and vegetables are washedand sliced by hand. “Freeman’s doesn’t do shortcuts.”

Ellen’s typical day at work (if she doesn’t get called in themiddle of the night – production starts at roughly 3:00 AM)begins before the store opens. She looks over the showcasesand speaks to each employee. Then she checks the productsand goes to her office. Most of the time, she is running thebusiness end; but she is also able to step in and lend a helpinghand, if needed. She has cross-trained the employees so thatthere are three or four available to fill any position, in the eventsomeone is out. Ellen has also become more active in thecommunity. Today, Freeman’s is big in “giving back.”

Freeman’s is always open to new ideas and trying to growin positive ways in the community. While Ellen is the sole ownerat this time, her son works with her and has grown up in thebakery. She feels there are many options to consider…satellitestores or even perhaps franchises. Ellen’s goal is to keep thebakery running so that generations to come can enjoy thegoodness that is Freeman’s. “We are entering our 50th year inJanuary, so Freeman’s Bakery is ‘tried and tested’ and hasstood the test of time. We’re also ready to grow and grow andgrow. Only God knows what’s next for us,” Ellen beams, “And,it is His direction we intend to follow. Thank you, Florence, for50 years. We at Freeman’s Bakery love you!”

Freeman’s Bakery with Ellen Cooke

Freeman’s Bakery is located at 1307-G Second Loop Road in Florence. Their operating hours are Tuesday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PMand Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. They can be reached at 843.662.3903. Ellen’s right hand person at Freeman’s is Manager Terrie Fairchild.