Young grad fulfills dream of owning own bakery, gets brick thrown through window
Erin Turner stands in front of her new signage for her store on Hecla Street.
Meet Erin Turner, the 23-year-old baker behind Copper Country Sweets. From humble beginnings vending at From the Ground Farmer’s Markets to the procurement of her own Laurium bakery, Erin's success is a testament to the rewards of hard work and determination. Copper Country Sweets is more than just a bakery—it's a dream come true.
ERIN’S STORY
Turner has always had a passion for baking and service. She graduated with her Bachelors in Hospitality Management from Northern Michigan University, a well-rounded course that covered not only cooking, but business management, HR, and leadership. She spent summers baking for Skinny Pete’s.
After graduation, Turner signed up for all three From the Ground Farmer’s Markets (Houghton, Hancock, and Calumet) with one goal in mind: save up enough funds to buy equipment and open her very own Laurium bakery. Turner reliably vended three times a week from June to October, setting up her table and tent by herself, offering seasonal flavors that shifted each week, as well as her signature $5 jumbo cupcakes and 3 for $5 sea-salted chocolate chip cookies.
Erin Turner at the Calumet Farmer’s Market.
“I love when people buy something at the market, bring back the empty bag with a smile on their face telling me how good it was. I get to be creative and make people happy,” said Turner.
This year, it’s finally happening! Turner secured a brick-and-mortar bakery in Laurium and was able to acquire the equipment she needed with the earnings from the Market. Skinny Pete’s also gifted her with much of the equipment she needed, leftover from their own bakery after Skinny Pete’s closure in late 2022.
Turner said that her positive relationship with the former bread company’s owners Tim and Arthur Lyons was essential in laying the groundwork for her business. Another key to Turner’s success was assistance from local small business consultant Daniel Yoder.
“I worked with him most of the summer during the season. We met and developed a business plan. [Michigan SBDC] is a small business development center, and they’re a nonprofit so they just help businesses. They also worked with Living Proof Brewery, who is just down the block.”
It’s a big summer for Laurium as community connections continue to bloom. Copper Country Sweets maintains a partnership with Vertin Gallery, who is also reopening this summer, along with a new bike shop in the same building.
A BUSINESS WITH SISU
But, Erin’s dream was thwarted when vandalism struck a small UP business once again. This past Tuesday, Turner entered the bakery to find a brick that had been thrown through the front-facing glass window, shattering it. Turner said that while nothing was stolen, she is taking the incident as a sign to purchase security equipment.
“I’m stressed and upset, but I’m just thankful nothing inside was damaged,” she said.
The shattered store window. Photo courtesy Erin Turner.
Mike LaMotte, owner of the Fitzgerald Restaurant, has started a donation drive for Copper Country Sweets through their website. The business is covering the taxes and kickstarted the donation pool with their own donation of $500.
“Starting a new business is hard. Starting a business that’s a creative expression of yourself, as a young woman in the Keweenaw, is that much harder,” reads a statement from the Fitz on Facebook. “Erin Turner had more guts than 99 percent of people when she decided to learn a craft and make something for people, something that she believes in and that she thinks that the world will enjoy.”
You can help Copper Country Sweets recoup their losses by donating here: https://www.exploretock.com/fitzgeraldsrestaurant/event/482784/support-for-copper-country-sweets
GRAND OPENING PENDING
The grand opening has been postponed because of the window damage. Turner comments that waiting on the business inspector is also taking longer than she had originally anticipated. But she looks forward to the grand opening, where the community can come in to sample some of her tastiest treats by donation.
She will have her signature chocolate chip cookies and vanilla cupcakes, as well as a range of other baked goods of seasonal flavors, with something new each week.
Turner says she also loves to make custom cakes and desserts.
“I’ll do custom anything! If someone wants something I don’t make, I’ll make it if they give me enough time,” she said.
Copper Country Sweets is located on 323 Hecla Street in Laurium. Follow Copper Country Sweets on Facebook and Instagram for updates! You can contact baker Erin via her email, coppercountrysweets@gmail.com.
You can catch also Copper Country Sweets at Calumet Market every Saturday from 10 am - 2 pm. Turner plans to attend the Saturday market for exposure, so the bakery will be closed on that day.
Turner is currently fulfilling orders. Find the order form on her website.
