Neither Brittany Wohlfeil nor Kasey Gusho, the owners of Batter & Mac, N89 W16750 Appleton Ave. in Menomonee Falls, imagined they’d be running a bakery together in 2024. But for both sisters, the unexpected journey has been a wild ride that has paid off in dividends.
The two passionate bakers operate a family-owned venture funded in part by their mother and run with the help of two of their six siblings.
Batter & Mac is a popular spot that has quickly grown from mostly custom orders to a full retail business complete with wholesale clients like Vennture Brew Co. (who purchases breakfast pastries and snacks) and The Real Good Life, who has made their products part of their meal delivery service.
In turn, they support a cadre of other local businesses by carrying products from Lumpia City, Alaska Fresh, Big White Yeti Candle Co., SA Braai, Indulgence Chocolatiers and more.
Despite their current location being just a year old, the shop is busy. Even on weekdays, customers trickle in to socialize over treats and a cup of Vennture coffee. Gusho, who manages the kitchen, says that demand has grown beyond their current capacity.
“We’re to the point where there’s not enough time in a day to make enough product to have enough to sell,” she says.
That’s a good problem to have, especially following two moves, more than a few setbacks and an economy that’s been tough on many small businesses.
Small beginnings
When Wohlfeil’s daughter Violet turned one year old, she decided to make her a birthday cake. It was a disaster.
“The frosting melted. I cried,” she says. “But I had fun and it turned out to be really delicious.”
What she didn’t realize at the time was that her daughter’s cake would set off a series of requests from friends – and ultimately friends of friends – to bake even more. As demand grew, the Nurse Practitioner started baking as a side hustle from her home kitchen under the moniker BatterMKE. When the pandemic hit, she used her extra time to bake and work on her technical skills.
At the time, Gusho was also running a cottage baking business called Kasey's Confections which specialized in macarons. As the pandemic wore on, both businesses grew exponentially, leading the two to look for a space to establish a commercial kitchen where they could produce their respective sweet treats.
In 2021 they found a small space on Main Street in Menomonee Falls and signed a lease, but the space stood empty for a year thanks to supply chain issues that delayed the arrival of their equipment. When they opened Batter & Mac in 2022, business boomed. By 2023, they found themselves embarking on another buildout, not only in a larger space, but one with room for a seating area and a bigger kitchen so they could host cooking classes and events.
“The community has been really supportive,” says Wohlfeil. “The BID helped us with a bounceback grant. With our second buildout, we got a low-interest loan from the Village.”
Customers have also stood behind the bakery, supporting them with their dollars at every turn. Since opening in 2023, demand has only increased for Batter & Mac’s slate of baked goods which has grown to include cupcakes, cookies, doughnuts, croissants and pastries and more.
Paying it forward
Walk into Batter & Mac and you’re likely to notice the “good vibes” that linger in the air. You’ll also notice little details like friendly signage and a “Pay It Forward Board” that allows customers to pre-pay for a coffee, treat or cover part of a bill for a teacher, social worker, military veteran or simply someone in need.
It’s a small thing, but it’s also part of Batter & Mac’s DNA, which includes a commitment to supporting the larger community through charitable giving.
Stop in on any given day, and it’s likely that proceeds from some of the products in the shop are being donated to a non-profit organization. In February and March, they supported America's Black Holocaust Museum. In May, they raised money for Mermaid Echo to support their efforts in sustainability.
Currently, they’re raising money for Courage MKE by selling Pride-themed mugs, canvas bags, amazing stickers, funfetti cupcakes, rainbow crispy rice treats ($4) and six-packs of multi-colored macarons (top to bottom: chocolate, blueberry, pistachio, lemon, caramel, raspberry), $13.
They are also hosting multiple Drag Bingo nights for the 18+ crowd during the month of June. All have sold out, but Wohlfiel says they’ve scheduled more for the month of July “because Courage MKE operates all year long… not just in June.”
Their efforts to raise funds have been an undeniable success. The sisters’ goal for Pride Month was to raise $1K, but Wohlfiel says that – before June had even started – they’d already raised close to $5K.
Supporting organizations and initiatives they believe in is simply part of who they are, says Wohlfiel, and neither of them have backed off on their support for equity and justice, despite backlash from individuals who disagree.
“It’s more important for us to be true to ourselves than to stay silent," says Wohlfiel. "And for as many people who object, we get many more positive comments from people, thanking us for what we do. People say they grew up in the area and never felt supported… some people even come in, don’t buy a thing, but leave a donation for Courage MKE.”
“All we want to do is drown the hate,” added Gusho.
The sisters’ sincerity speaks for itself. But if there had been any doubt on the day of our interview it was quickly dispelled by an exchange with a customer as we were wrapping up our conversation.
A woman, who later introduced herself as Laura Frey, passed our table on her way out, bag of goodies in hand. She looked at Wohlfiel and Gusho and her face beamed. She told us how she was getting ready to attend Pride Fest in another community and, as she wrapped up her story, she paused.
“I just have to thank you for everything you do for the community,” she said sincerely. “Really. Thank you.”
For more information and updates, follow Batter & Mac on Instagram and Facebook. To sign up for classes or events, including July dates for Drag Bingo, visit batterandmac.com.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
