Farm to Table, a Black-owned business shares community values. 

          Meet Gee! A Q&A with the owner of Elderflour Bakery

By Ruth Cruz

Question 1

Growing up how did your grandparents influence your inspiration behind Elderflour Bakery?

Regina Burcham

“I grew up going to church with them and my grandma always baked something for her women’s meeting, choir practice, and potluck after church,” Burcham said. “She was a church baker type of lady growing up I would always be baking stuff with her from the time I can remember. She was kind of my inspiration to do it and be a grandmotherly figure. I want people to come in here eat the stuff that I am making and feel like they are at their grandmother’s house on Sunday after church vibing, having a good time, hanging out, and chit-chatting. My grandma grew up in this town this building was significant to her childhood for me to be here it means a lot to her. I feel like it’s my little oath to her being in this building and this town.”

Question 2

What makes Elderflour Bakery unique in the Triad area and how do you create an inclusive environment for the community?

Regina Burcham

“I try to be from the farm to here I try to bring new ingredients and flavor profiles to people who are not usually seeing but to pique their interest a little bit,” Burcham said. “I wanted my space to be a welcoming environment where people dont have to question what the deal is as soon as you walk in. I wanted it to be that home away from home to people so far it has been very lovely. I think bringing a small Black-owned LGTBQ-friendly business to Mocksville is what it needs. Bringing people here allows me to expand people into Mocksville and show them other places around town they can go and visit. I like to think that I am a little stepping stone into the bigger picture of the town.”

Question 3

Why did you choose this slogan, Sweet & Simple Local Produce Fresh Milled Flour and how does it attract the locals? 

Regina Burcham

“I like things that are very to the core pretty plain and simple with a little fun elements into it,” Burcham said. “So I take classic flavor combinations and put a little twist on them and you dont need to have plenty of ingredients to make something taste good you can use good quality stuff. I try to invest in them as much as possible I wanted to be very homey like you at your grandma’s house very rustic. So I feel like some of the best things in life are the simplest and sweetest things like the most basic bare bones items that make you appreciate things. Sweet and Simple is the foundation we can grow on.” 

Question 4 

How many years has the bakery been open in this area and has there been a growth in community experience and reaction? 

Regina Burcham

“I have been in Mocksville since we opened the shop in May and before that, we were out in Winston Salem,” Burcham said. “I have definitely seen it grown especially when I started baking and putting myself out there before I moved into my shop and now at my shop. I think that the younger me would think that I am really cool. If I was a child and saw myself where I am now that would have been so inspiring as a kid. There was nobody that looked like me that was doing what I was doing and look up to. I like to think that if I can be that for one person then mission accomplished. I think I have been able to grow the community because I am open and honest to a fault. I think people really appreciate and admire that vulnerability about me.”

Question 5

How does Elderflour Bakery promote community awareness by collaborating with local businesses and farmers? 

Regina Burcham

“Being at Cobblestone has opened up many opportunities to connect with the farmers most of the produce that we get now comes from Fairshare in Pfafftown or the lady that lives 2 doors down from me is a tomato farmer so I was at her house earlier picking tomatoes,” Burcham said. “Going around meeting my neighbors and making myself more available. I seek people out and try to make friendships and connections with them.”

Question 6

As a black woman and LGBTQ-friendly bakery have you faced any challenges in this area? How does this status help you move forward within the community?

Regina Burcham

“When I first bought this building that was definitely an issue that came to mind,” Burcham said. “I thought people wouldn’t like the Pride stuff I was doing especially in June we do a lot of fundraisers for Pride. People were actually very receptive to it I dont believe people normally outwardly support these things it was very nice to see them inadvertently give money when they wouldn’t normally seek out those kinds of things. It was nice to have a place where I could make it lowkey casual. I think that when you do something that is a little more progressive there will be pushback by no means you are changing the game by being revolutionary. It has been a very rewarding experience and I see how much people appreciate it. It has been really good we had a few pushbacks but I expected worse at the end of the day not everyone is going to like you and I have come to realize that.” 

Question 7

Do you offer any homemade recipes or community favorites in your bakery and What is the final message you want the community to understand when they visit Elderflour Bakery? 

Regina Burcham

“I am always down and open to hearing people’s stories if they want to bring a recipe I will 100% make it and hope that I do your grandmama proud when I do it,” Burcham said. “I am always open to community involvement and suggestions. I want to make things that I love and enjoy also that other people love, enjoy, and seek out. If they can’t find other places then maybe I can be that for them.”