New bakery is now open in Gravette

Photo by Susan Holland Amber O’Neal pulled a batch of chocolate chip cookies from the oven Friday afternoon at the GoodyShack. Several varieties of cookies are sold at the new bakery which opened recently. Cookies, muffins, brownies, cupcakes, breads, pies and cakes are sold in both family size and individual portions. Breakfast is also served from 8 to 10:30 a.m.
Photo by Susan Holland Amber O’Neal pulled a batch of chocolate chip cookies from the oven Friday afternoon at the GoodyShack. Several varieties of cookies are sold at the new bakery which opened recently. Cookies, muffins, brownies, cupcakes, breads, pies and cakes are sold in both family size and individual portions. Breakfast is also served from 8 to 10:30 a.m.

GRAVETTE -- Dreams do come true. Sometimes it just takes a while to bring them to fulfillment. That's the message Amber O'Neal relates when folks ask about the opening of her new bakery, the GoodyShack. O'Neal opened the business Tuesday, March 10, her birthday. Assisted by her son A.J., 19, she operates it Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.

Customers can go down a couple of steps into the attractive dining area and sit at picnic tables to eat the baked goods they purchase. The coffeepot is always on and juices and soft drinks are also available. Breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The breakfast menu features biscuits and gravy and empanadas, tasty pastry pockets filled with eggs, cheese and potatoes. Empanadas can be meat-free or sausage or bacon can be added.

A variety of homemade baked goods are offered at the GoodyShack. Muffins, cookies and cupcakes are sold individually or in larger quantities. Mini-loaves of pumpkin bread, small chocolate cakes and brownies are available. Cakes and pies are available whole or by the piece. O'Neal says she does this so a family can come in and each family member can order something different if they want and all get their wish.

The 10,000 calorie cake is a popular choice but O'Neal explains it doesn't really have 10,000 calories since she uses low-fat Cool Whip. Other cakes include traditional chocolate cake and mango pound cake. Amber uses lots of fruit in her desserts and therefore can use less sugar, making them healthier. She plans to add desserts for diabetics in the future.

Those who prefer pie can choose from chocolate mousse or blueberry mousse pie, strawberry mango pie, pineapple cream cheese or blueberry cream cheese pie, peach cobbler, apple-pear cobbler or triple berry cobbler.

Mouthwatering scents fill the shop when O'Neal is baking cookies or cakes, brownies or turtle brownies. She often stirs up a batch of pretzel bark, made from chocolate and pretzels, peanut butter and white chocolate chips. The Gravette volunteer firefighters are frequent visitors since the GoodyShack is right across the street from the fire station and it's just so easy to drop in for a snack.

O'Neal was born in Missouri and raised in California. She moved back to Arkansas 25 years ago. Her dream of bakery ownership has been a long time coming. She was going to open a bakery in Centerton 11 years ago. She had a building and equipment was on order. Then, in July, 2004, she was on her way to town to buy lawnmower blades when her vehicle was hit head-on by a drunk driver. She suffered a broken hip and pelvis, had a broken arm, six crushed vertebra and facial injuries. She spent six months in a hospital bed. Her son A.J., who was 8 at the time, was also injured.

O'Neal had a long, slow recovery from her auto accident. Then, when she did get on her feet, it wasn't long until her husband got sick. He had heart disease and had to undergo three open-heart surgeries and surgery on both lungs. There were trips to Little Rock and a trip to Houston for the last open-heart surgery. He was told in 2007 and again in 2012 that he had only a year to live. He began spending more time in the hospital than out.

Mr. O'Neal finally passed away last year. Knowing Amber's long-held desire, shortly before he died, he told her, "Make sure you open your bakery." Now at long last she has made that happen.

"It's never too late to follow your dreams," O'Neal said. She and A.J., whom she praises for his excellent help, invite everyone in the area to drop in and get acquainted. Stop by in the morning for a big blueberry muffin and coffee or order a full breakfast. Drop in at lunchtime for a dessert to accompany your sandwich, or come by after school or after work for a sweet treat. The bakery is located on the east side of Highway 59 N., just south of the Dollar General store in Gravette. Call 787-8999 if you want to place an order before you arrive.

General News on 03/18/2015