Dill pickle donuts, semi drive-thru make Delisle bakery stand out

For as long as she can remember, Meletta Goossen has had a knack for making people feel welcome. Even as a little girl, she loved playing the role of hostess.

“I was probably about three or four,” she recalled with a smile. “My mom said they were standing outside visiting, and all of a sudden I came out with jugs of iced tea that I had made for everybody. We’d have company, and that was just the first thing I wanted to do — serve everybody.”

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Goossen said she’s always been the kind of person who takes care of others. Whether it was hauling out jugs of iced tea for visiting guests as a little girl, or ensuring the people of Delisle are fed and watered at the bakery she owns today, her desire to nourish and share has never wavered.

That same eagerness to make sure everyone feels at home is at the heart of Mel Rose Bakery, where each dish is made with the same care and warmth she’s carried with her since childhood.

On top of providing people in Delisle with sweet treats, Mel Rose Bakery has also created multiple employment opportunities within the community. The business operates with a team of 22 people, including five full-time staff members. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

As you drive down Highway 7 toward Delisle, a sign catches your eye: “BAKERY — COFFEE SHOP & DRIVE THRU — TURN HERE.”

Just beyond the sign, a winding road leads you right up to the front doors of Mel Rose Bakery.

Mel Rose Bakery is located just northeast of Delisle on Highway 7. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

The moment guests step inside, the display case greets them with a tempting array of treats — glazed donuts, golden cinnamon rolls and perfectly iced cakes. The scent of freshly baked bread and buns adds to the welcoming atmosphere, complemented by the rich aroma of homemade soups simmering in the kitchen.

Goossen, who opened the bakery in May of 2024, said she never expected her lifelong love for baking to bloom into such a beloved community hub.

“It’s not a job to me. I love trying new things. I love experimenting with flavors,” she said.

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Her signature donuts have become local favourites, especially during the busy summer months when crowds line up for a taste of her delicious creations.

“Apple fritters and maple-bacon donuts are our top sellers,” Goossen said. “After that, probably Boston cream, honey glazed, and then all the other fun flavors.”

She’s wowed customers with an everything-bagel flavoured donut and even a dill pickle donut.

“We actually top it with fresh dill, cream cheese, and then fresh pickles on there,” she explained. “It tastes like a sweet bagel!”

Goossen said that there have been many days where a line of eager customers has formed outside of her bakery before she opens the doors at 7 a.m. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Locals flock to Mel Rose Bakery for delicious treats, but they also come for the sense of belonging that Goossen has cultivated. Her bakery isn’t just a place to grab a quick bite; it’s a place to connect.

“I’ve had a few people come in and say how cozy and homey it feels when they walk in,” she said. “I love working the front because it feels like I’m welcoming people into my home.”

But not every customer walks into the building. The bakery is equipped with not one, but two drive-thru windows — one for average-sized vehicles and one for semis.

“You can go around the building and pull right up to the drive-thru window,” Goossen said. “You do not have to get out of your truck, and we will hand you your donuts, your coffee, your sandwich, your soup, hot, ready to go.”

Goossen know it’s not always easy for truckers to park and walk in the door of local businesses. Her solution? She’s outfitted her bakery with not one, but two drive-thru windows — one for everyday vehicles and one specially designed for semis. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

The thoughtful feature has made the bakery a convenient stop for both locals and travelers. The semi-friendly window is a hit with truckers passing through on Highway 7, allowing them to grab a fresh, homemade meal or treat without needing to park their large rigs.

For Goossen, the business is all about serving her community — not just through food, but through meaningful relationships. And it’s clear the people of Delisle appreciate her for it.

Arlie LaRoche, a local customer, summed it up perfectly: “It’s amazing to have. This is like a city bakery, so to have it in a small town is super cool. You can support local and have this experience. It’s great.”

“This is like a city bakery. So to have it in a small town is super cool,” customer Arlie Laroche said of Mel Rose Bakery. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Goossen doesn’t just bake for the community; she is an active part of it. She runs the hot lunch programs for both Delisle Composite High School and the nearby Vanscoy School, and when the local arena needs a fresh batch of baking, it’s Goossen who steps up to the plate.

“I supply the arena in town with donuts and hamburger buns,” she said proudly. “Pretty much every day I bake for them!”

Just as the community has stepped up to support her small business, Goossen said she also makes an effort to support others in return.

“I love to use local ingredients,” she said. “I’ve sourced from farmers around here. I use fresh turkey and chickens, local meat and vegetables whenever I can, especially in the summer. I’ve just started with Sixteen Grains out of Saskatoon, and use their ground whole wheat.”

Goossen said she uses local ingredients in her baking whenever she can. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

The bakery has also become an important source of local employment. With a team of 22 people, including five full-time staff members, Goossen is not only providing delicious food to Delisle, but is also creating jobs for the people in the area.

Together, Goossen and her team work to create the generous portions and large servings that the community has come to expect.

“People say all the time ‘These servings are huge!’” Goossen said with a smile. “But that’s just how it is here. You’re not going to get a small bowl of soup — you’re eating my small and you can’t finish it. That’s how it’s supposed to be.”

From a little girl with a pitcher of iced tea in hand to the proud owner of Mel Rose Bakery, Meletta Goossen’s passion for making people feel at home has grown into a beloved small-town business, where warmth and generosity are always on the menu.

Aside from filling the display case and shelves at her bakery daily, Goossen also provides the local arena with hamburger buns and donuts. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)