Bonnie Belle's Pastries Makes White Oaks Opening Official with Large Crowd on Hand for Ribbon Cutting
By Jeff Toquinto on August 22, 2017 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Editor's Note: Below is the most recent story that ran on Connect-Bridgeport regarding the opening of Bonnie Belle's Pastries in the White Oaks development. Today (August 22, 2017), an official ribbon cutting ceremeony took place with officials from Bridgeport, Harrison County, Nutter Fort, the Chamber of Commerce and family and friends of the owners on hand. They are pictured above. If you get a chance, visit the city's newest business. Again, please note the story below ran prior to the opening.
For those of you who were excited when one of Harrison County’s longest established businesses announced it would be opening a new location in Bridgeport, you’ll be even more excited to know that it’s about to open.
Next week, or within the next two at the latest, White Oaks will officially home to the second location of Bonnie Belle’s. The decades-old business that has been a fixture in Harrison County and Nutter Fort will open the door to its second location at an unknown day this coming week.
In March, co-owner Pat Hawkins, who along with his mother Linda Fowler, operates the business made the announcement that they would be situated in the White Oaks development. Bonnie Belle’s will be one of the new businesses in the White Oaks Retail Village.
“We’re really excited about this and we know the doors will be open (this coming) week, but we’re just not sure of the exact day,” said Pat Hawkins. “This is something that we’ve wanted to make a jump into doing and we’re doing it now and we’re doing it on our anniversary year.”
The new location will come on the company’s 70th year of business. They opened shop May 15, 1947. It was started by Pat’s grandmother and store namesake Bonnie Belle Hawkins and her husband Richard.
Hawkins said earlier he and his mother have been looking at a second location – and emphasize the Nutter Fort location will remain the hub of operations – for some time. He said consideration was 
given to Morgantown before settling on White Oaks. Another location, perhaps in Morgantown, isn’t out of the question.
given to Morgantown before settling on White Oaks. Another location, perhaps in Morgantown, isn’t out of the question.
The plan was to have the new business open by July at the latest. It appears that time frame will be met as Elite Builders out of Stonewood seem to moving along nicely.
“We’re very pleased with them and they have been great to work with,” said Hawkins. “Once everything is finished, I think the customers will appreciate what we believe are some really neat things.”
Hawkins said the 1400 square foot space will sale items prepared primarily at the Nutter Fort shop. However, he said the new shop won’t look the same.
“It’s a whole new look and not like the original. We want one distinct product, but we’re going to have two distinct looks,” he said. “This one won’t be like my grandparents’ Bonnie Belle’s … We have a new logo, new packacking and a whole new look and more.”
The Bridgeport location is carry out service. The hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The business will be closed Sunday. The store is also planning to eventually offer delivery service.
The number for the new store is 304-848-1100.
