I grew up in small towns.  I love the feel of small towns.  I love the unique people that can be found in small towns.  It is no wonder I seek out any road trip that takes me to small towns that I have not explored and recently when my plans to attend a conference in Nashville were dashed due to the stupid winter storm Thor I posted a plea in my North Iowa Bloggers group on Facebook as follows:

I am thinking I might need a mental health day tomorrow, Saturday. I have a painter that is STILL going to be here (don’t ask), a husband who will be hunting until the late afternoon and a need to be out of the house and distracted. Anyone up for a short road trip to anywhere? Let me know!!!!

Jeni of Jeni Eats, Val of Corn Beans Pigs and Kids and new blogger Jessica who writes at Belong, Create  took me up on the offer and after a few more conversations we decided to go to Belmond, Iowa with the primary destination being Sugarpie Bakery.  Seems it is a fairly new business and they have wanted the North Iowa Bloggers to come visit.  So plans were made and off we went.

Once we entered the  town I quickly pulled into a gas station so we could take a blogger selfie. It’s kind of a requirement.

The town itself is a sweet step back into time with a modern look.  Awning lined storefronts boasted bold signs announcing various services including a pharmacy with a real soda fountain, the dental office where my husband went for an emergency root canal, a lovely floral shop and many other businesses which were strangely quiet on this Saturday morning in March. The “new” look to the town is due primarily to the devastation that this town has endured due to an F5 tornado that swept through the town in 1966 which took the lives of 6 residents and left a path of destruction.  Once again in 2013 an F3 tornado shook the town and many businesses and homes in the northern section of the town were damaged or destroyed.  The midwest flooding of 2008 also hit this town but they are strong Midwest folk who bounce back and go forward.  Belmond is a vivid reminder of the American spirit.

We saw few people walking the streets on this sunny morning but it was obvious that the two places that were popular were the two places we found ourselves spending the most time in.

One of our stops before lunch was this store that was recommended to us by several of our friends who already knew the wonderful things that could be found in Belmond.  House of Treasures was exactly that.  This place was a bargain hunter’s dream with rooms filled with clothing, toys, books, household items and yes – teapots.  You know where my eyes turned and I found one that was special enough to add to my collection and at half price the $3 price tag made me smile. Almost as much as the Girl Scout cookies that were by the register that  of course I had to purchase. I love the Girl Scouts and any way I can support them I will.

I took a picture on my camera but once I took this pretty teapot home I fell in love with it just a little bit more.  Just look at it.  It is perfect.

It’s beautiful.  In perfect shape and unlike anything that I have or have seen so I was thrilled to find it in this spot.  There were some other things that were a little less appealing to me. Like this shelf of wigs.  Or at least I assume they were wigs.  I did not investigate any further.

I forgot to see if there was one for Jeni as she has been looking for a Sia wig.   We might have to make another trip to check.By the time we finished shopping it was time to meet Val and her kids at The Sugarpie Bakery and when we entered the cafe we were met with lovely smells and a friendly welcome.  Small town coziness exuded from this place and I absolutely loved the fact that there was an area devoted to children who visited complete with toys galore and plenty of things to keep little ones occupied. I loved watching Val’s kids play after they devoured their lunches and it was great to have a safe environment where mom’s eyes could keep an eye on things without having to be too vigilant.

The menu is posted on a huge chalkboard on the wall and was too big to actually fit in one picture as you can see from the picture. Breakfast served ALL DAY!  That is something my husband can get behind, let me tell you.  I decided to go for a  lunch option and chose the roast beef sandwich and there was not even a crumb left.  I did have to have Val cut it in half for me so I could hold her youngest the entire time (can’t get enough baby time) but those “eating while holding infant” skills came right back.

I was so busy talking and holding the baby that I neglected to take pictures of anyone else’s food but they all had wonderful looking food and the cupcake that Val’s son had looked AMAZING and judging from how he devoured it it must have tasted as good as it looked.

Other things that I loved about the place was the decor.  A beautiful quilt adorned one wall.Another wall held a really cute display of children’s drawings which I suspect featured some that were done by the owners’ daughter.  The Sugarpie Bakery has been open for a short time but I can already predict that it is going to be a regular spot for locals and visitors alike to gravitate toward.  Good food, reasonably priced with great attention to detail and service is what is going to keep this little place at the top of the list for places to eat in this area.  I would give it a two thumbs up and am already planning another trip to taste some more of the deliciousness that they offer.  If you are ever in the area this is one place you need to visit. Plus just look at that logo—it is perfect, isn’t it?

Do you have a small town place like Sugarpie Bakery that you love?  Tell me all about it in the comments section.