What is the PERFECT Christmas treat? A freshly-made Gingerbread House of course!
I had the pleasure of visiting the Gingerbread Construction Co. in Wakefield, Massachusetts for a tour and interview with the owner, Janet D'Orsi. Don't let the name fool you! Of course they make gingerbread houses, along with more than 20 kinds of muffins (including one inspired by the owners’ wedding cake), 12 different muffin loaves, cookies, brownies and more!! What? Not close enough to visit the store? Don’t worry, they ship many of their products all over the country. Personally, I would drive two or more hours for another taste of the Strawberry Shortcake Muffin and a Gingerbread Girl!
In December 1987, Janet, along with her husband John took a leap of faith opening the first Gingerbread Construction Company store in a quiet Winchester, Massachusetts neighborhood. Knowing that seasonally popular gingerbread houses would not be enough to attract customers all year, John and Janet developed a sumptuous muffin line and an extensive gourmet cookie line. In 1995, the couple opened their second location in Wakefield, Massachusetts on Lake Quannapowitt. The Wakefield location became the company’s main construction site, taking on the task of baking and assembling all the company’s gingerbread houses and cookies.
The Gingerbread Construction Company quickly became a household name for many northshore natives, though many have coined their own name for the unique bakery. The Gingerbread House, The Gingerbread Factory, The Muffin House are just a few of the names used to refer to the company. In 2000, The Gingerbread Construction Company invited customers nationwide to share in this local gingerbread tradition with the opening of their online store.
Here is what I learned while talking with Janet:
When did you get started building gingerbread houses?
We began making gingerbread houses and cookies at home in 1981 as a hobby. We would give them to family and friends and sell them at local craft fairs.
What do you love about the business?
I love it all! If I had to pick a favorite, it would be building/decorating the houses or packing them to ship. Getting everything together to ship is exciting and I love knowing that our creations are going all over the country.
What is your least favorite part of the business?
Worrying about the weather, which I have no control over. Like right now, it is unseasonably warm for November...we have to keep the air conditioner running so that the icing will dry properly. We have to worry if it is too warm, humid or rainy. Even when the weather is cold, if we get a storm it affects business...that just happened around Halloween.
I assume Christmas is your busiest season? When else are you busy?
Yes, Christmas is the busiest. The next busiest holiday is Easter. We make houses all year long and for every major holiday including Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day and Halloween. We even make some for baby showers and weddings!
How many houses do you make a day during the Christmas season?
Well, we bake in batches. Each batch is 500 pounds. A batch will make 300 small houses, 200 medium houses and five large houses. From now until Christmas, we will make between 5000 - 6000 houses!
How long does it take to make one house, from start to finish?
It takes about 4 days. The most time-consuming part is waiting for each stage of icing to dry completely so that we can move onto the next step. Here’s how it goes:
Day 1 - Make dough, cut pieces out, bake, assemble sides and then add roof
Day 2 - "Shingle" the roof and place it on the board (base of the house)
Day 3 - Add decorations (candy canes, gum drops, jelly beans, etc) and do the decorative icing
Day 4 - Box it to ship or put it on the shelf to sell
Craving some gingerbread or another one of the amazing sweets from the Gingerbread Construction Company? Visit their website and order some for yourself! Remember, a gingerbread house makes a great gift too!
Order your gingerbread house by December 15th to guarantee delivery before Christmas! If you live locally, you can pick up a gingerbread house up until Christmas! Call the store for detailed delivery information.
