For more than eight decades, this humble building has been woven into the fabric of St. Clair’s story. Originally built as a feed granary to serve local farmers, its elevated floors once echoed with the sounds of grain being shoveled, the hum of work, and the steady rhythm of a community built on hard labor and trust. It stood as a symbol of purpose, a place where the town gathered around the simple idea of sustenance.

As the decades passed and times changed, the granary’s purpose evolved. In the 1970s, it found new life under the care of Paul Fry, who transformed it into Pauls True Value, a place beloved by generations. For over fifty years, the scent of lumber, oil, and fresh paint filled the air, mingling with laughter and conversation. Dusty shelves, creaky floors, and familiar faces greeted every visitor. It was the kind of place where you didn’t just buy a hammer, you left with advice, a story, and a sense of belonging. Everyone in St. Clair who’s been here long enough carries a piece of Paul’s True Value in their memory.

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When we purchased the building in 2020, it had been sitting quiet, its shelves still lined with relics of another era, a forgotten bolt here, a faded label there, each whispering its own story. The flickering lights seemed to say they missed the hum of life, the steady rhythm of neighbors coming and going.

We knew right then that this place didn’t need to be rebuilt, it needed to be reawakened.
CocoBella’s Bakery was born from that very idea: to breathe warmth, conversation, and community back into a space that had already given so much. We set out to design a bakery that honored the soul of the building and the stories within its walls. The exterior pays homage to the craftsmanship of the past, where even the simplest structures carried pride and purpose in every detail. Inside, the creak of the old wood floors, the gleam of tin ceilings, and the inviting aroma of fresh bread blend together to create something timeless.

In a beautiful full-circle moment, the loft that once held sacks of grain now holds thousands of pounds  of flour, ready to be turned into bread, pastries, and memories. Where once people came for the tools to fix their homes, they now come for something just as essential, the food and fellowship that nourish the soul.
At CocoBella’s, when you walk through our doors, you’re greeted the way neighbors once were at Paul’s True Value: with a smile, a warm “hello,” and a genuine sense that you belong here.