The Jenny Lee Swirl Bread Article
Mega Cat Studios x The Jenny Lee Swirl Bread
What’s in a name?
The Cats and the Bakers
Jenny Lee Swirl Bread and Mega Cat studios are bringing sweet pastry lovers and foodie gamers the magic of Bite the Bullet--a food-centric game that reminds everyone that you are, indeed, what you eat.
The 5 Generation Bakers come from a line that began with a German immigrant who changed his name from Becker to Baker. Interestingly, he became a baker by profession as well! Compared to Mega Cat Studios that is made up of humans with feline instincts, you can probably say that both companies are defined by their names.
What do we mean?
Jenny Lee Swirl Bread is from a line of Bakers, 5 generations specifically. That’s where their identity comes from--their profession, their surname. They’re a unique bunch--because really, how often do you see a baker named Baker? Is it the universe telling them that this is the choice it has made for them? Or are they just really gifted at what they do? How much more if five lifetimes of Bakers are all bakers? That’s mind blowing--just like their breads!
And Mega Cat Studios, the Cats there are always ready to stretch their paws and claws to make awesome games. They’re fierce designers and developers who come up with strategies that get players hooked. Heh, they can even see very clearly in the dark--like in times when you don’t know what to do in life, a Mega Cat game will pick you up and give you back a sense of who you are. Video games make us sound individuals, and Mega Cat makes sure that sound is meow!
Five and Nine Lives
Being committed to values, ideas, and goals are the main reason why Mega Cat and 5 Generation Bakers are still in the running in their respective fields. Community engagement, perseverance and keeping the heart in the brands are the core qualities that spur success--not to mention having fun in their crafts and offering quality products are always what drives a company forward.
The growth of a bakery or a game studio is not an instant thing. One has to put in the work and hours to establish your audience, the brand, and the team that can take you all the way. But always remember that to never lose sight of the path you took to where you are now. The Bakers always looked back to their family of bakers for the wisdom and insight on how to move forward. Same with upcoming studios and indie game companies - look to success stories, be sincere with your work, and design on.
As both companies grow, we envision products that live for generations--lifetimes of 5, 9, or even more. Our products are made with love, and that love lives through countless years to come.
The Brand That Stays True: The Story of the 5 Generation Bakers
The Baker Family of the 5 Generation Bakers has a long and colorful history about their baking journey and the brand that made them as they are now. Tracing its lineage in the mid-1800s, the family was founded by Michael A. Baker, a teen that immigrated from Germany. As if the universe was preparing him for this moment, this young man would become a baker and would establish the first bakery of the family, the Michael A. Baker Bakery in 1875. The bakery soon evolved into a “door-to-door” delivery type of service and, spurred by the aspirations of his sons, would, later on, make the business as the largest bakery wholesaler in the state of Pennsylvania.
In 1938, Paul Baker and his cousin Bernard McDonald, despite the success of The Seven Baker Brothers Bakery, founded Jenny Lee Bakery in the heart of Pittsburgh Diamond Market. At first, Paul would sell his brothers’ products out of his retail store but he would soon develop his line of quality products. Then, he acquired the second location of his second store and main baking location in McKees Rocks in 1941.
Despite the challenges and problems that the company would encounter in the following years, the company would continue to grow and expand. However, the biggest challenge that the company faced came in 2006 when a devastating fire nearly wiped out the second-floor offices and candy production area of the McKees branch. This forced the bakery to close for 4 months and missed several holidays, a loss of great proportions. And although the company would open once again in April 2007, the loss of its shoppers and the challenges brought by the economy pushed the company to close forever on August 16, 2008.
However, all hope was not lost because of the determination and hope that Scott Baker brought. Out of the desire to continue on the Baker Family baking traditions, the 5 Generation Bakers was founded in June 2009. He built the company from the ground up by starting as a commercial manufacturer of frozen wholesome products and consisted of only two products: gourmet cinnamon swirl and cinnamon raisin bread. The 5GB would soon grow this lineup to chunky bread, savory bread, and sticky buns!
The journey that the 5 Generation Bakers traveled from the simple aspirations of a German immigrant had come a long way. And while a devastating blow nearly ended the dreams of this line of naturally gifted bakers, it was through perseveration, hope, and sincerity with their brand that they were able to rise from the ashes and be stronger than ever before.
