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Two Bites Too Good to Share at Morsels

Shortbread, brownie, scones … what will satisfy your sweet tooth? How about a little of everything? When a whole piece is too much and just a bite or two will do, there is a new little bakery on the corner of Front and Cass Streets called Morsels that will do just the trick.

The concept is simple. Jeff and Misha Neidorfler have opened a bakery consisting of many fabulous and unique sweet treats, literally just two bites that are much too good to share. Dried Cherry Scone; Chocolate Brownie; Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting; Blueberry Pancake with Maple Syrup Glaze…the list goes on and on, and these are but a few of the delectable sensations you will find--in two-bite sizes--at the newly opened Morsels on the corner of Cass and Front Streets. You also will find 12 varieties of Loose Leaf Tea, specialty juices, sodas and ice tea, as well as espresso drinks and lunchtime sandwiches.

Jeff and Misha have been working together ever since they met as co-workers at an architecture firm in Milwaukee, Jeff’s hometown, in 2000. Jeff was an architect for 22 years; Misha, a Traverse City native, spent most of her time as an interior designer until almost four years ago, when their first child, Miles was born. Misha decided to stay home with him and in 2007 also with baby Nora.

Being home with the babies was wonderful, but Misha and Jeff missed working together, and so they began to wonder if there was a way they could blend working together doing something they both enjoyed and also spending time as a young family. One thing became clear: as much as they loved Milwaukee, they felt they needed to make a move to place better suited for their growing young family. What better place than back home in Traverse City

So what to do? Aside from working together, Jeff and Misha have always enjoyed baking and cooking together as well, and they seemed to always be coming up with those, “Why hasn’t anybody ever done this?” ideas. Then one day it struck them: bite size treats in many tempting varieties. Before they knew it they had a business plan, a space in downtown Traverse City, and were knee-deep in all kinds of decisions, from packaging and labels to colors and pricing. They have loved every minute of it, though. Misha says one of the best parts has been to be able to blend Jeff’s architectural abilities with her design experience and then to see it all come together for themselves, instead of for a client.

Growing up in Traverse City, Misha learned from her father, Jeff Corbin, who recently retired from owning a downtown business (Corbin Design) and who has been on the Opera House Board for years, that supporting the downtown and small businesses is very important to the strength of our community and city. She and Jeff are looking forward to connecting with and becoming strong members of the community.

It may be good luck for them that several business have had good runs in their location, starting in 1881 with the establishment of Prokop Kyselka’s, an, “all-in-one general store that sold everything from cement and chicken feed to yard goods and hair pins,” there for over 50 years. According to the A. K. Kyselka Diary, “Propok Kysleka was one of the wealthiest Czechs in the city.” (Go to www.strolltraversecity.com to see excerpts of this diary, documenting Kyselka’s life in Czechoslovakia, his trip to America and more.) It is unclear what occupied the building from 1937-the mid ’40s, but Thirlby Clinic was located there from 1945-1978, through a total renovation in 1961. Empty from 1979-1982, Thirlby Plaza then opened, which included a new little bakery called The Cookie Jar, which was there from 1983-1989. The Cookie Jar was replaced for only a year by McGregor’s Deli & Yogurt. Many people will recall Cathie’s Tote and Dine, the next business located in the southwest corner of Cass & Front until 1999. Soon thereafter Sassy Sandwich took the space, open only during the summer (their newer location in Copper ridge is still open), and was there until just last year. Now it’s time once again for a new business to take over the space, hopefully for a long time to come. Morsels is open M-F 6:30-3, Sat 7-3, Sun 8-2. 104 Cass St, at Front St. 231-421-1353. www.morselsbakery.com.