On-line Chamber August Newsletter

Happy 40th Anniversary Olsen's Bakery   A fourth generation baker, Bent has been a fixture here in Solvang. Learning his craft from his father, he is our Danish baker extraordinaire!! To the locals who start their day at Olsen's with the traditional Northern European continental breakfast of a freshly baked hard roll with butter, havarti cheese and jam or for the visitors who have breakfast in their hotels - chances are they are also eating some sweet made at the bakery as Olsen's supplies almost all the hotels in Solvang.   I even know of a couple who come down from Lompoc every morning just to have their breakfast at Olsen's. Then there is the lunch crowd and the afternoon tea/coffee crowd who indulge in an afternoon treat.    Walking by the bakery at the wee hours of the morning you can smell the titillating aromas permeating the air as Bent is the kitchen preparing the day's the array of tempting sweets.   Once the bakery is open, you will find Susy out in the restaurant tending to customers or behind the counter.

Bent Olsen putting the final tier on the "World's Largest Danish Kransekage" (Danish Wedding Cake). It was 10 feet tall and served 100 participants at one of the annual Taste of Solvang celebrations.                      Photo contributed by Bent Olsen

This team works together like a well choreographed ballet.   Speaking of traditions.. there are several that Olsen's brings to us.    The Christmas Gingerbread House that Bent has been building for forty years now.   Starting with a table size and then doing the giant size about twenty years ago is an annual tradition for Solvang's Christmas season. It takes about one week of almost non - stop work to create these life - like masterpieces.    No one makes an authentic Danish Kringle like Bent. And no one sells Kringles like Olsen's, baking thousands each year.   And then there is the traditional Danish Wedding Cake (Kransekage) which Bent created in a 10 foot tall version (pictured here) for 100 people partaking in the Taste of Solvang to enjoy in 1996.   A smaller version can be found, preserved under glass at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum.   And of course the Traditional Danish Cookies bought by the tubful and enjoyed and received as gifts the world over. And of course no one makes Pumpernickel Bread like Bent - another Danish speciality.   Bent donates his time by being active in the community having sat on the boards of the Solvang Conference and Visitor's Bureau and the Santa Ynez Valley Visitor's association.   He is a member of eth Vikings, the Danish brotherhood, Rebild Society and Danica.   It's been forty years but somehow it seems that Olsen's Bakery has been a fixture in Solvang FOREVER!   Happy Anniversary Bent and Susy Olsen   Thank you for making Solvang a sweeter place to be with all your delicious treats.

Bent and Susy Olsen in front of their Mission Ave Bakery and Coffee Shop. Photo contributed by Connie Cody

Counting Our Fans

3rd WEDNESDAY -- August 18th Theme: "FAREWELL TO SUMMER"

• Participating merchants will be featuring 3rd Wednesday Only Specials - (ALSO AVAILABLE: DOWNLOADABLE PDF MERCHANT LISTINGS).

• Come to the Farmer’s Market from 2:30 to 6:30 pm, then stay to take advantage of the evening’s fun activities.

• Solvang’s wine bars and tasting rooms will be hosting a Wine Walk from 4 to 7 pm. Tickets are $20, includes a premium wine glass and your choice of tasting at any 5 of the 12 participating wine establishments. Tickets sold in Solvang Park starting at 4pm.

• Live music in Solvang Park 5 to 7 pm: Listen to the smooth jazz of Margie Nelson and the Montecito Jazz Project. Bring a picnic....or enjoy a Third Wednesday special at one of the participating restaurants.

• Sidewalk Sale. Shop Local...Save Money...and enjoy a city wide sale from participating merchants from 10am to 7pm

• Participating merchants will be featuring Wednesday specials (click here for participating merchant information).
  
  If you are interested any various levels of sponsorship, or wish to partake in the shop local discount program contact:
Susan Williams at susan@wanderingdogwinebar.com or 688-0841 OR The Chamber at linda@solvangcc.org or 688-0701.
  
Thank you for making this a worthwhile event with your participation.

Downloadable Flyer: Staples and Associates - "SB County Energy Watch"

  
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