Carina’s Bakery

Carina Comer had a dream of opening a bakery ever since she was five years old. That dream became a reality six years ago when she opened Carina’s Bakery on a relatively quiet street in Beaverton, and her dream has continued to thrive through the COVID years.

When she was young, she had several bouts of brain cancer that caused her to lose most of her sight except for tunnel vision in her right eye. Though Carina is legally blind, she has maintained a positive attitude through many years of health challenges and never let go of her dream. She can tell her own inspiring and remarkable story much better than I can.

Carina grew up in Connecticut, and after attending college in the east, she visited a friend in Oregon and fell in love with the state, especially the food scene. When she felt ready to have her own vegan bakery she explored the Portland metro area by MAX and decided that Beaverton had the best combination of big city and small town amenities.

Carina is Swedish, and you will see that influence in both the food and the decor when you visit. Every day Carina and her employees bake all kinds of cookies and pastries and other sweets, many of them inspired by the foods of both Scandinavia and Oregon. The bakery also makes savory treats like smorgas, their version of classic Swedish open-faced sandwiches. All of her food is soy-free, and most of it is gluten-free and free of other allergens, so everyone can find something that is safe to eat.

Carina has made it her mission to hire people of all abilities, with both physical and mental challenges. Currently seven of her nine employees are disabled, and she would like to open other stores to give more disabled people the opportunities to work.

There are many programs she has instituted over the years like “treat it forward,” CSB (Community Supported Bread), cooking classes, and catering. Currently Carina is preparing for the Junction City Scandinavian Fair, where she will have a booth.

When you visit, whether for coffee and a sweet, or for lunch, or just to take a treat home, it’s hard to decide what to order, as there are so many options. I can vouch for the almond and pistachio cakes that are melt-in-your-mouth yummy, and people rave about the cardamom buns and the chocolate hazelnut cake. There is also vegan ice cream, which Carina makes one quart at a time. If you want something savory, the vegan lox is a must-have. And when you are there, be sure to say hi to Moby, Carina’s guide dog, who accompanies her everywhere.

Be sure to read Carina’s Story (Link Here)