Tuomo’s Stubbornly Finnish Food

Trina and Billy Taylor come from a long line of proud Finnish bakers, and I had the opportunity to sit down with them at their shop in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where they told me their story. 

What Does ‘Stubbornly Finnish’ Mean?

I was curious about the name of their business and how it was conceived. Trina told me that “Tuomo, the founder of the business, is my father’s name and that Finnish people are known to be stubborn or “sisu”. Sisu refers to a unique Finnish concept of stoic determination, tenacity, and resilience. The closest translation in English for sisu is stubborn, but in a positive way. Our customers, especially those of Finnish heritage, get a little chuckle from the name. Both my Mom and Dad’s families were bakers, including both sets of grandparents.” You can say that baking is a family passion! 

From Finland to the Soo Market

Tuomo’s Stubbornly Finnish Food first came to life in 2014 when Tuomo Vuohijoki decided to open a Finnish food/bakery booth at the Mill Market (now Soo Market). Long before that, it was in Finland where Tuomo learned his skills as a baker at a specialized pastry school. In 1975, Tuomo immigrated to Canada (Sault Ste. Marie) from Finland. It was love that kept him in the Sault after meeting his wife, who was from the Sault, at a family wedding back in Finland. After working at Paul’s Bakery for a while, he, along with his family, decided to move to British Columbia for several years, where they raised their children. Then home called them back, so the family returned to Sault Ste. Marie.

Tuomo didn’t practice his own baking craft full-time right away. He took a welding course at Sault College and got into the welding trade for several years. Back at the market, their products were a big hit with locals and visitors alike. “I worked alongside my Dad, learning the art of baking from him, then in 2019, my Dad decided he wanted to retire,” said Trina.  

Passing the Torch to a New Generation

“Trina and I decided to take over the booth at the market,” said Billy. “I learned as well, and each Friday from 5 am until sometimes 2 am the next morning, Trina and I worked to bring our Finnish baking products to the market on Saturdays. On special holidays, we would start on a Wednesday in order have enough to meet the demand. After a while, we realized we were going to burn out unless something changed. We knew the demand was there, so we decided to look for a permanent, storefront location where we could be open five days a week and spread out the work.”

In October 2023, Tuomo’s Stubbornly Finnish Food opened at 459 Second Line West. “We found a perfect building and location. The business once housed a bakery, so most of the equipment was already in place. We made some updates to the business branding, refreshed the décor and started welcoming customers.”

After about a year to get settled in their new location, Tuomo’s returned to the Soo Market to offer their products there too. “Our customers are finding us at both locations, and we are seeing new customers every day.”

Traditional Pulla, Pies, and Karjalanpiirakka

We talked about the products for sale at Tuomo’s, and it is obvious that both Trina and Billy are very proud of what they offer to their customers. “Everything is made from scratch. We use butter or olive oil for our fats, avoiding vegetable oil. Pulla is our best seller, which is a sweet bread made with real ingredients like butter, milk and eggs. The sourdough bread is also a big hit, along with cinnamon rolls, brownies, pies, and custom-made cakes.”

A savoury favourite is the sausage rolls made with in-house-made puff pastry, along with Finnish-style cabbage rolls, meatballs, as well as chicken pot pie and their “karjalanpiirakka”, which is a popular thin rye crust with creamy rice inside. Seasonal offerings are also high in demand, like the Yule Logs, ginger molasses cookies or our cinnamon snowflakes. For a full listing of what Tuomo’s has to offer, visit their website here.

A Secret Recipe Preserved Through Generations

Trina told me a story about one of the cookies they make called “Golden Spice Cookies” (Piparkakut in Finnish). “The recipe came to my grandfather as payment for carpentry work he did for a customer. His customer didn’t have any money, but he once worked at the Winter Garden in Russia, and the cookies were enjoyed by the Czar,” told Trina. Trina’s grandmother used to make the cookies but wouldn’t give anyone the recipe, but her Dad convinced her to show him how to make them and videotaped her while making them. Today, the cookies that were once made for the Czar at Russia’s Winter Garden are for sale at Tuomo’s. 

Imported Finnish Treats and Local Delights

Along with the in-house made sweet and savoury baking offerings, Tuomo’s imports many products directly from Finland. From candies and chocolates, sauna pails and ladles. Even local products, like maple syrup from Batchewana Maple Products. There is a collection of hand-painted cards made by a local Finnish artist. You have to visit the store to find these things, along with the items available at the counters. 

Fresh Daily Lunches and Specialty Coffee

There is a frozen food section and a deli section with a variety of meats and cheeses, and they offer grab-and-go fresh hot soup daily, along with freshly made sandwiches. If you’re looking to grab a hot coffee or tea and a pastry, Tuomo’s has an excellent variety. They have recently installed a brand-new espresso machine, imported from Italy. “Our staff are fully trained on how to use it, and our customers are pleasantly surprised that we have this on offer. St. Joseph Island Coffee Roasters has blended a light roast blend especially for us. We also carry their tea blends,” added Trina. A very Finnish hot beverage, the Hot Blueberry drink is offered as a seasonal favourite.

What is next for Tuomo’s? “When we travel, we always stop in at bakeries and other family-owned food businesses and see what they do that we can adopt in our own store. After speaking with several owners, they advised us that having an in-store seating area is a great way to increase your customer base. We are hoping that with some renovations that are needed, in the near future, we will do that here,” said Billy. 

Trina and Billy, along with their twelve staff, have added to the rich Finnish heritage in Sault Ste. Marie. Their hard work and “stubbornness” are a big asset to the culture and attractiveness of our region to both locals and visitors alike. Tuomo’s legacy is in good hands. 

Tuomo’s Stubbornly Finnish Food

Trina and Billy Taylor
459 Second Line West, Sault Ste. Marie
PH: (705) 949-9155
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm
Free delivery on orders over $40
Email:
Web: www.tuomos.com
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