A super-moist and super-fruity blueberry muffin from Ashton General Store has earned a devoted following, with one fan declaring it the last thing they would want to eat before dying. Baker Krysta Roney takes that as a compliment.
A Baker’s Journey
Roney, a self-taught baker, opened Ashton General Store in December 2022 at 8981 Flewellyn Rd. in Ashton, a village 40 kilometres west of downtown Ottawa. Her blueberry muffins, topped with cinnamon streusel and packed with fresh blueberries, quickly became a hit.
“Someone told me that’s the last thing they want to eat before they die,” Roney said, recounting the morbid but flattering praise.
Prize-Winning Treats
The muffins have won first place at fairs in Almonte and Richmond, and second in Carp. Roney also took home a first-place prize for her carrot cake at the Carp fair. The ribbons are displayed in the store’s showcase, and the chalkboard proudly advertises “prize-winning blueberry muffins.”
Devoted Customers
Customers place pre-orders, forcing Roney to bake more than the usual two dozen each morning. A Montreal woman makes a side trip to Ashton every time she visits Ottawa just to buy the muffins. Many customers buy six or 12 at a time, freezing them for the week.
From Shopify to Small Town
Before the pandemic, Roney worked at Shopify coaching clients. She and her husband moved to Ashton, and after hearing neighbours miss the historic general store that closed in 2016, they decided to rent the property. “I phoned the landlord, we came in, and it was pretty much a done deal,” she said.
Four years later, Roney loves running the store. “It feels like I’m living in a Hallmark movie,” she said.
