Kolaches Down
Indie Fort Worth kolache shop closes after 6 sweet years
After six years and many a fine kolache served, Duffey's Kolache Bakery in far north Fort Worth has closed. Owner Erin Duffey, who has been a pilot for 25 years, decided to return to that field and shuttered the shop on July 15.
He says he closed "with a heavy heart" and only after mulling the decision for a year.
"This journey began with a crazy idea and tons of prayer," he says. "But aviation is my calling and the demand for pilots is enormous right now so back to the big blue yonder I go."
As anyone who has baked for a living knows, it's hard work and even harder to make a living at it. Duffey's had a devout following who loved its authentic Czech-style pastries, as well as cinnamon rolls and limited-edition kolaches such as the Reuben with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and thousand island dressing rolled inside kolache dough and topped with roasted caraway seeds.
But Fort Worth has also seen a rise in competition with the opening of two locations of Pearl Snap Kolaches since 2015, including one that opened on Hulen Street near TCU in December 2017.
The Duffey's location, at 8653 N. Beach St. near N. Tarrant Parkway, won't sit empty for long. There's already a new tenant lined up for the space: Fit Meals Prep, a healthy meal plan company. "For the last six years I've increased everyone's bottom line," Duffey quips, referring more to their bottom than their line.
He's now flying for FedEx, but he says he may consider reopening at a future date if his kids want to start it up.
Meanwhile, he had advice for those in search of kolaches. "Look up my friends at Kenner's Kolache Bakery in Arlington," he says.