Gluten-free Tri-Cities baker to bring popular desserts and sourdough to new storefront
Tina’s Tasty Treats, a 100% gluten-free staple of the farmers market circuit, is making its permanent home at Richland’s Uptown Shopping Center.
Owners Tina and Shawn Pack intend to open by Aug. 1 at 1325 George Washington Way, a space that will offer the specialty treats business its own kitchen, storage space and room to expand as the couple pursue their dream of selling baked goods in grocery stores.
The Packs established Tina’s Tasty Treats nearly a decade ago after Tina faced a life-threatening health crisis in her early 30s. She was suffering from nonalcoholic cirrhosis of the liver at 32, a potential death sentence.
A naturopathic physician advised eliminating sugar, dairy, gluten and starches. She believes the advice saved her life, but forced her to give up some of her favorite foods.
She tried gluten-free offerings from grocery stores. The cardboard packaging was tastier, she joked.
So Tina Pack turned her lifelong love of baking into a mission to create gluten-free versions of her favorite breads and treats.
“I get to play mad scientist,” said Tina Pack, who has a background as a compounding pharmacist. “I have a lot of fun.”
Together, the Packs compiled a library of recipes and began selling treats at local farmers markets, where they built a fan base.
They focus on the Richland Farmers Market, currently the largest and best-attended by their customers, the couple said.
They plan to keep their booth at the Richland market. At Uptown, they’ll build on the basics to add sandwiches, coffee, teas and other beverages.
Private kitchen
For the Packs, a private kitchen will make it easier to keep their commitment to selling food that is 100% free of gluten, a potential allergen.
With their own kitchen, they control everything that comes through the door, Tina Pack explained.
That wasn’t the case for the first 10 years, when they baked in commercial kitchens. Tina’s Tasty Treats spent six years at Pasco Specialty Kitchen and then two at Red Mountain Kitchen in Kennewick.
In a commercial kitchen, tenants rent time, sharing kitchen space and equipment with other food businesses.
Tina Pack said that meant double cleaning everything, every time, to ensure the prior user hadn’t inadvertently left traces of allergens behind.
Uptown vibes
She said the business moved to Red Mountain as a temporary home while the couple shopped for a brick and mortar location, a process that took longer than expected. They’re thrilled to join Uptown, noting its central location, great vibe and its appeal to pedestrians.
Tina’s Tasty Treats focuses on desserts, plus sourdough that sells for $10 a loaf at the market. The new space will build on that.
The Packs aren’t just investing in a new shop (the tenant improvement work is valued at $35,000). They’re equipping it with kitchen gear that lets them expand their offerings to a range of products, from crackers to hot pockets. They’ll accept special orders, and follow their own food whims.
For instance, Tina Pack said she misses the iced animal cookies of her youth, so she’s working on making a gluten-free version of the nostalgic favorite.
The Upton location will sell gluten-free treats, as well as sandwiches and more. Most of all, they’ll be able to advise customers on exactly what ingredients are present in everything they make, from gluten to nuts.
Tina Pack said demand will drive hours, but Tina’s Tasty Treats will probably keep later hours to cater to late afternoon food cravings. It will open later on Fridays so the couple can maintain their presence at the farmers market.
Follow Tina’s Tasty Treats on Facebook @ Tasty Treats by Tina and on Instagram at Tinas Gluten Free
This story was originally published July 5, 2023 at 5:00 AM.