The husband-and-wife team behind one of Ayrshire's best-known traditional craft bakeries have retired following the sale of their business. Stephen and Rona McAllister, proprietors of Kandy Bar Bakery in Hamilton Street, Saltcoats, have handed the reins to Craig and Lesley McPhie after decades of ownership.
End of an Era for the McAllisters
Stephen McAllister said: "After more than 50 wonderful years, the time has come for Rona and I to step back and enjoy our retirement. Owning and running Kandy Bar Bakery has never simply been a job. It has been our life's work, our passion and very much part of our family."
He added: "We have been incredibly fortunate to serve generations of customers, work alongside an outstanding team and become part of the communities we proudly serve. Together we have built a business founded on quality, tradition and trust, and we are immensely proud of everything that has been achieved."
New Owners Commit to Heritage
Craig and Lesley McPhie have committed to preserving the values, craftsmanship and traditions that have defined Kandy Bar Bakery for almost a century while investing in its future. Following completion of the acquisition, Managing Director Craig McPhie said the priority is to safeguard the bakery's heritage, support its people and continue delivering the products and service that customers have trusted for nearly 100 years.
Craig McPhie said: "We have not simply acquired a bakery. We have accepted responsibility for a business that generations of customers, dedicated staff and the McAllister family have built over almost a century. We see ourselves as custodians of that legacy, and it is both an honour and a privilege to continue that story."
He continued: "From day one, our commitment is to preserve everything that customers have come to value while supporting the talented team whose dedication has made Kandy Bar Bakery what it is today. The familiar faces, the quality products and the friendly service that customers know and trust will remain at the very heart of the business."
Looking to the Future
Founded in Saltcoats in 1929, Kandy Bar Bakery is one of Scotland's best-known traditional family bakeries, renowned for its handcrafted range of sweet and savoury products. The McPhies have pledged that any future investment will be made carefully and respectfully, strengthening the business while remaining true to its heritage.
Craig McPhie said: "Businesses like Kandy Bar Bakery are never truly owned. They are held in trust for the next generation. Our responsibility is to protect what has been built, support the people who make it special and leave it even stronger for those who follow us."
