When Nunyuns Bakery & Café closed at the end of May, devotees of the 16-year-old Burlington fixture lamented the loss of its whoopie pies, blueberry crumb cake, spinach-feta scones and sassy, seasonal cookies. In November, co-owner Paul Bonelli resurfaced as Feral Gnome Bakeshop, offering a holiday menu by direct order. This month, the baker started weekly deliveries of some Nunyuns faves to two Burlington corner stores: Momo’s Market at 141 North Willard Street and J & M Groceries at 68 Archibald Street.
Bonelli and his partner, Kristine Harbour, closed Nunyuns after their landlord put the building on the market. Bonelli, 50, said he always planned to start baking again “because it’s what I enjoy doing,” though he has no interest in opening another retail bakery.
Based in the couple’s Old North End apartment kitchen, Feral Gnome has been inspected by the Vermont Department of Health and approved by the city to operate as a home-based business.
Bonelli said he’s building steady business through a few local stores and will probably add outdoor markets in season. Feral Gnome will continue to fill some direct orders as supply permits; find out what’s on offer on Facebook or Instagram and place orders via feralgnomebakeshop@gmail.com.
And yes, Bonelli said his 2025 offerings will include “some version” of Fauxstess February, during which Nunyuns baked fresh versions of the Hostess brand’s staples, as well as the bakery’s popular Valentine’s Day cookies: Nudies and sassy hearts.
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This article appears in Dec 11-17, 2024.
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