‘Oh crumbs! I’m gone,’ says popular baker man

Nagging power cuts continue to affect local business, with one of the area’s most popular businessmen on his way out.

Artisan baker Barry Korb, whose freshly baked breads and pastries endeared him to locals, is packing up shop. Korb, who opened his popular Salt Rock bakery just over 18 months ago, is moving to the Mount Edgecombe Kwik Spar at the end of this week.

Power cuts over the past month have forced him throw away around 2000 kilograms of spoiled dough, losing him R50 000.

“I start baking at 11pm every night, but last week I could not because the power went out. I sat in the shop for five hours, trying to get through to KwaDukuza municipality. When someone eventually answered, he admitted he had been sleeping and had no idea the power was off in Salt Rock.”

Korb said his cold room turned into a “sauna” and his dough started exploding.

“That was the last straw!”

Korb has been to the municipal offices several times and been made countless promises, but said he cannot run a business amid uncertainty.

“There are no chemicals in my bread so my dough is different. I have let people down because I could not get orders ready on time and that is no way to work.”

The friendly baker said he is sad to leave Salt Rock, where he has fitted in so well over the past year and a half.

“People come in and have a chat, order their bread and pick up pastries. Kids come in and love to watch the ovens, the mixing and smell the fresh bread.

“Smaller businesses were inspired by the success of the Artisan Baker, thinking if I could make it work, so could they. It is a shame I have to leave because of incompetence.”

A coffee shop is taking over the bakery, which should still sell Korb’s breads and pastries.

Has your business been affected by the power failures? Tell us here: