By Chanda Temple
Like many people working in the food industry, the pandemic delivered a one-two punch to Chanah Willis.
First, Willis left a bartending job in March 2020 during Covid-19. Then, Willis lost a pastry chef job at Urban Standard coffee shop when it closed in June 2020.
Not to be deterred, Willis started baking out of her home.
A following grew from her homemade pies, biscuits and tarts, which Willis sold at a church market for six months. Recognizing her talent, a businessowner let Willis use a commercial kitchen for free, which allowed her to make more baked goods and sell them wholesale to prepare for an even bigger future.
In 2021, Willis found an empty space at 213 25th St. North to open Last Call Baking Co. It took about a year and a half to build it out after it has served as a carpenter studio. But for Willis and her fans, the wait was worth it.