When searching for film locations, more often than not, I find myself channeling my inner Aurora Teagarden or Hannah Swenson.  And finding the bakery that was used in Murder She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery was certainly no exception!  I was first asked about this particular location by Net, who blogs over at It’s a Wonderful Movie.  (if you haven’t read her blog, be sure to check it out!)  She mentioned she was curious about the bakery that stood in as the Cookie Jar in the first installment of this movie series, which is based on the books by Joanne Fluke.  The bakery that appears on screen from the second movie on is a different one, much more modern that the bright-white bakery with the darling pastel painted chairs and shelving we saw in the first movie.  Net said she had looked around online but could not find the location.  Obviously, I love a good mystery and decided to see if I could crack the “case of the missing Cookie Jar”.  So Net…..this post is for you!!!

I already knew filming took place somewhere around Vancouver, British Columbia as this is Hallmark’s filming playground.  I began searching online but the location that kept coming up was for the new, modern bakery location.  (and I do plan to feature this bakery in a future post)   Next, I studied still photos from the movie and eventually I decided to re-watch the flick, this time with the sole purpose of looking for clues.  I took some notes and compiled enough information to take my online search to the next level.   Within hours, I found it!

In real life, the bakery that was used as the Cookie Jar in Murder She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery is called the Blacksmith Bakery.  I should point out that set dressers made so many cosmetic changes to the interior that I originally believed the place had been remodeled!  So, while it looks a little different in the movie, there were enough details left behind for me to figure it out.   I took note of the double doors, as well as the details on the doors.  I compared the lighting, flooring, and structural details.

But there was one “a-ha” moment when I was researching.  There is an evening scene in the movie where Hannah peers outside a window and stares across the street.  And even though it was dark out in this scene, I recognized the location immediately as I had just been there days earlier!  Yes, you read that correctly, I had literally just been to the Blacksmith Bakery.  Crazy, I know.

While visiting my Canadian cousins on one of my trips north, we decided to head over to Fort Langley.  If you’re a regular reader of this blog, then you know I love Fort Langley and have written before about several locations such as this one and this one.   I’ve been visiting for over two decades now and never tire of this charming area.  It is a favorite of movie crews and on any given day you will see production taking place somewhere in the area.  Garage Sale Mystery is a “frequent-filmer” and Cedar Cove fans have scene it too, as it’s quaint streets and buildings were shown throughout the series.  It is a perfectly picturesque little gem, filled with antique stores, specialty shops, and plenty of dining options, including the Blacksmith, which my cousin Mary loves.  The first time I was there, I had no idea it had been used in filming.  After discovering it played the Cookie Jar Bakery, I stopped by again to take some photos.

There were many clues that helped me to find this location but for me, the dead giveaway were the two benches located directly across the street from the Blacksmith.  The bakery is pretty crowded on weekends, and since there were no seats for us out front, we crossed the street and sat on the empty benches for quite a while.  Have I mentioned Fort Langley is a fantastic people watching area?  Well, it is.

I reached out to Blacksmith Bakery owner Stephan Schigas, hoping to arrange an interview.  At the time, I was only able to come up on the weekends and as you can guess, the weekends are incredibly busy for him.  On one of my weekend visits to the fort, as it is known to locals, I dropped by to introduce myself and say hi to Stephan.  He was personable and interested in helping me with my story but due to our opposing schedules at that time, we could not arrange it.  And while I had hoped we could connect prior to the publishing of this story, it just didn’t happen.

During our brief hello last year, I did ask about filming. (no surprise there, amiright?)   He told me that they had only hosted a film crew once at the Blacksmith, and I confirmed it was for Hallmark since he did not know the name.  He did mention that they often film down the street and in front of his place.  I have personally scene his building in the background of other Hallmark movies.    I love the Blacksmith Bakery’s look and am surprised we haven’t scene it in anything else.  I speculate that it could be the interiors may be too tight for filming, but this is just a guess on my part.  Although it was short and sweet, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to say hi to Stephan last year and chat briefly.

This murder mystery unfolds when Hannah runs out of the bakery to see what is keeping the milk delivery man so long.   And when she reaches his truck, she discovers he has been shot and killed.  After capturing screen shots for today’s post, I checked out Google Street View, this Hallmarkers BFF.  Located a few doors down from the bakery is where this scene was filmed.  I am including photos from Google since I only discovered this today.

The location of the bakery is rich with history, dating back to 1910.  Once the site of the Blacksmith Shop & Garage owned by Charlies Reid, the building was torn down and a marker has been placed in the ground in front of the bakery entrance, to remember the Reid Block and to show respect to the Reid family. I LOVE that Stephan paid historic tribute through the bakery name.   You can learn more about Charles Reid and this buildings history here.

If you find yourself in Fort Langley, be sure and stop by the Blacksmith Bakery.  Not only do they serve coffee and scratch baked goods, they also offer breakfast, sandwiches, and pizza.  They are located at 9190 Church Street, Suite 102 in Fort Langley, BC.  My cousin Mary recommends the Espresso Pecan Brownie.   For more information, check out their website here.

 

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Last week, I was asked to add a “what I’m watching” area to my website.  While I work on that, I want to tell you not to miss this weekends all new movie, Royal Hearts, airing this Saturday, February 24  on The Hallmark Channel.  Filmed on location in Romania, it stars James Brolin and Cindy Busby. Check your local listing for times.  Thank you for stopping by my blog this week….I am always pleased to see you!!!

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