Lisa Comes Full Circle – Former Ambrosia Founder Returns to Nelson – Opening New Shop

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Copyright 2005-2018 Blue Ridge Life Magazine : Photos By Tommy Stafford : Lisa Swinson the former founder and owner of Ambosia that opened back in 2005 stand behind the counter under construction in her new soon to open bakery in Nellysford called Sweet Bliss Bakery.
Copyright 2005-2018 Blue Ridge Life Magazine : Photos By Tommy Stafford : Lisa Swinson the former founder and owner of Ambosia that opened back in 2005 stands behind the counter under construction in her new soon to open bakery in Nellysford called Sweet Bliss Bakery.


Nellysford
Nelson County, Virginia
By Tommy Stafford

Back in 2004 Lisa Swinson opened her Ambrosia Bakery & Deli in Nellysford. After she sold it in 2007 she never thought one day she’d back in Nellysford just down the street opening another bakery.

“No, no I did not. I sort of surprised myself, but very excited. I’ve been thinking ever since I’ve had this second home bakery in Crozet, it’s always been in the back of my mind to open a retail bakery again,” Lisa told us from what will be her new home for Sweet Bliss Bakery in the old locaiton of Rockfish Baking Company in Nellysford’s IGA / Valley Green Center. RBC closed a few weeks ago.

Lisa behind the counter of her original Nellysford bakery, Ambrosia, in a 2005 story we did about her opening just a few months earlier in October 2004. She eventually sold the business in 2007. A few years later it closed for good.
The exterior of Lisa’s original bakery back in 2007. It was right next door to Valleymont Grocery which has since closed as well.

Lisa says she looked all around the once she started thinking about opening up a new bakery again, but she didn’t want to compete with Rockfish Baking Company in Nellysford. That took her to Staunton to look around.

“I found a couple of spots in Staunton. I almost committed. I even told the landlord I was going to do it then I backed out. It just didn’t feel right. But as soon as I heard about this spot opening, it felt right Tommy. It just felt right. It feels like coming back home.”

And back home she’ll be! Lisa was a big hit during her first round here, and many of the deserts in area restuarants today are hers. She’s been selling wholesale to places like Basic Necessities for a long time.

Lisa preparing some Valentine’s Day treats in February 2007 at her original Ambrosia Bakery in Nellysford.

Lisa says there will be some old favorites from her Ambrosia days, but not everything.

“It’s going to be different from Ambrosia. We are going to have a full line bakery like we did with Ambrosia, cakes, cheesecakes. I’ve got some new items, key lime pie that I’m making for my restaurants now. And different kinds of pies. Banana cream pie. Coconut cream pie. Chocolate peanut butter. Scones, we’ll have the scones, the muffins, the cookies, cream puffs, eclairs, also quiche. Which we did have at Ambrosia. And also homemade soup. I want to try to have some lunch items, but no sandwiches or salads.”

Lisa Swinson changes out a light bulb in her Sweet Bliss Bakery in Nellysford that will be opening in mid to late January 2018.

Welcome back Lisa! Can’t wait to drop in once you’re open!

To learn more about what Lisa will be offering at Sweet Bliss, head on over to her website by clicking here.

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