Roy’s Pasties and Bakery making an impact

HOUGHTON — By moving their business to the downtown waterfront, expanding and adding jobs in the process, one Copper Country business is making an impact in their community.

In recognition of that effort, Roy’s Pasties and Bakery has been awarded the 2015 Michigan Works! Association of Prosperity Award. Besides creating 13 news jobs, Roy’s also renovated a blighted property through the Michigan Economic Development program with the help of the city of Houghton.

“We went from 2,000 square feet, a lease facility, to owning 6,600 square feet and with that we’ve expanded our restaurant offerings, our seating, our capacity to serve and invested in owning our own location,” said owners Roy and Trisha Narhi.

Representative Scott Dianda said it was great to see a local business use an older building to grow and hire employees.

“This is a successful business,” said Rep. Scott Dianda, “with a successful state program that was implemented with MSHDA and partnering with up Michigan Works! Great! This is success and this is what we need to see more of.”

Also honored was Roy’s Pasties and Bakery employee Melissa Dowler who came to the position through Michigan Works! and has earned her way onto the production staff.