For Bobcats and Athens locals with a sweet tooth, Bakery 323 may just be their next stop for special desserts and goodies.
Inside the bakery, the warm smell of fresh baked goods invites customers to enjoy a cupcake or other sweet treat. Bakery 323 is owned and operated by Ohio University alumnus Cameron Kasler, who has spent most of his life in the kitchen baking for friends and family.
A dozen cupcakes at Bakery 323 is $28.99, and a half dozen is $16.99. Cookie cakes range from $25-45, basic cakes are $25, cookies are $19.99 and brownies range from $20-25. The delivery fee is $5.00, and for those ordering for a Bobcat’s birthday, Bakery 323 will include a personal message and a free T-shirt.
Kasler created the bakery in 2021 as an OU senior and began by selling baked goods out of his house. He named the bakery after his favorite Bible verse, Colossians 3:23.
“It just kind of stood out,” Kasler said. “The whole purpose is to serve God myself, so it's not necessarily working for what humans want or what God wants for us.”
In March 2024, Kasler opened Bakery 323 in The Market on State, providing a generous selection of cupcakes, cakes, cookies and other goodies. The bakery also serves hot and iced coffee.
The bakery provides seasonal cupcakes and other treats, including apple cider, pumpkin spice and pecan pie flavored cupcakes on their Thanksgiving menu.
Vicki Dornbush, Kasler’s aunt and frequent customer, said Kasler started baking about 10 years ago with his grandmother Linda Rhodes. She said Rhodes babysat for Kasler, and he enjoyed watching her cook and bake.
Dornbush said when Kasler first came to OU, he began in the sports administration program before talking to his parents about his career.
“His mom and dad said, ‘What do you want to do?’ and he said, ‘I want to bake,’” Dornbush said.
Kasler said he did not expect to open a bakery in Athens, but he knew he wanted to pursue his love of baking with a degree in business entrepreneurship.
“I’ve been baking since I was a kid, so it kind of makes sense to try it and see what happens,” Kasler said.
Dornbush said Kasler was originally baking out of his parents' kitchen when the business launched in 2021, before he got the space in The Market on State.
“And finally, because his mom and dad own Zonez in the mall, which is right across from Cameron's bake shop, they know the people that own The Market on State, and they found a place for Cameron to open up his shop,” Dornbush said.
Since Bakery 323’s opening, Dornbush said she frequently visits the bakery to taste test and support the shop. She said Kasler sometimes drops off a cupcake for her while he's making deliveries in town.
Dornbush said she loves the Butter Pecan and Peanut Butter cupcakes the most, and enjoys the new cranberry orange cookies.
“He and his girlfriend do a lot … they’ll find recipes and then they recreate their own,” Dornbush said. “That is what makes it so good.”
Paul Risler, a resident of The Plains, said he visits Bakery 323 often, as he works in Athens as pastor of Central Avenue Methodist Church. Risler not only visits the bakery for a casual cupcake, but he also purchases items for various events and family gatherings, including his daughter's senior trumpet recital at Capital University.
“Sometimes I'll be out driving and I'll be like, I just want a cupcake, and I'll stop by and get one,” Risler said. “It's just nice that they always have a kind of variety there, but I also use them a lot for when we do parties or something like that.”
Risler said the business's service is fantastic and accommodating whenever he needs a large batch of cupcakes for Honey for The Heart Parade.
Those interested in ordering from Bakery 323 can visit its website to place an order for delivery, pickup or simply browse the menu. The bakery is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
