Surfside Beach’s Benjamin’s Bakery on 30 years in business: ‘Exciting time to have this much support’

SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) – A staple in Surfside Beach celebrated a milestone on Thursday.

Benjamin’s Bakery is celebrating 30 years in business.

The bakery and the town held a ribbon-cutting and celebration on Thursday to honor the iconic business.

“I feel every one of the 30 years. But on days like today, I feel also like a first-time entrepreneur,” said Benjamin’s Bakery owner Lee Zulanch on the big anniversary. “It’s a very exciting time to literally have this much support. It’s like having your birthday.

Zulanch’s father opened the bakery in 1994 and named it after Zulanch’s son Ben.

It started as a bagel wholesale company but has expanded to breads, pastries, rolls buns, cupcakes and cakes. In 2018, Zulanch broadened the bakery’s offerings to also include fresh coffee roasting and has become the largest roaster in the Grand Strand.

On top of selling their items in the bakery, the business also provides its breads and pastries to over 100 local restaurants and retailers.

Zulanch said Benjamin’s Bakery succeeds when other businesses succeed.

“Everybody we do business with, we’re only successful if they are. So we try to keep the quality, the price, the product in the range that they can. If they take pride in their kitchen, we can help them tell that story,” Zulanch explained.

He added that one of the secrets to the business’ success is keeping recipes simple and fresh, not fancy.

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