Serendipity refers to the fortunate discovery of something valuable or agreeable that you weren't actively seeking, a kind of happy accident or unexpected good fortune.

Anyone driving down Fort Street in Riverview has the opportunity to find not only a “happy accident or unexpected good fortune,” but a sweet one at that – and one they can return to as often as they like.

A Serendipity Cakery & Ice Cream Shoppe in Riverview is celebrating 13 years in the business on May 1, and it’s been both a challenging and rewarding experience for owner Tammie Bachran, who began her sweet journey making cakes and other goodies in her kitchen.

After tremendous response to her tasty baked goods, Bachran opened a store in Wyandotte in 2015 before outgrowing that location and moving to its current home at 18100 Fort Street in Riverview at the end of 2018.

“It started as a home business and really took off after we started doing different events in the area, like street fairs and craft shows,” Bachran said. “You name it and I was there just trying to get people to try our products and get my name out there.”

The name “serendipity” came as a result of turning one of life’s challenges into realizing one’s dream.

Before opening her own store, Bachran worked for another bakery and saw how to run a business – and, just as importantly, how not to run a business. She decided to put her passion and hard work to work for herself instead of for someone else.

“I fell in love with what I was doing and knew I could do it better on my own,” she said. “I had the confidence to do it myself, and my husband and family believed in me. And that’s where serendipity comes from.”

A Serendipity Cakery & Ice Cream Shoppe is a family run and operated local business. Tammie’s husband, Alan, is a big supporter, as are the kids – Benjamin, Daryl and Johnathon.

“Everyone helps in some way and we all do what needs to get done,” Tammie said. “We have worked really hard to keep the business where it is right now and it’s definitely a family business in every sense.”

A Serendipity Cakery & Ice Cream Shoppe has become known for its cake balls and are very popular, especially at the local events. The custom party bundles, which is a complete dessert package, has become popular with people hosting events such as graduations, parties and weddings.

Other popular and delicious menu items include custom cakes (try the cheesecake), cupcakes, sugar cookies (these items are special order), cake balls, cookies (including custom sugar cookies and peanut butter cookies), hot cocoa bombs (20 flavors available year-round), chocolate dipped goodies, macaroons, cake parfaits and more. And they proudly serve Ashby Sterling Ice Cream. Bachran and her team also host both public and private cookie decorating classes. A Serendipity Cakery & Ice Cream Shoppe also does fundraising events for schools and nonprofit groups.

“We really try to be community based because we feel it’s important to be good neighbors,” Bachran said. “We have an awesome team here and we all do a little bit of everything. I still love what I do every single day and love coming to work.”

For more information, call (734) 925-6238 or log onto https://a-serendipity-cakery-ice-cream-shoppe.myshopify.com.