Biscuits to Baskets, a home-based bakery in Ajax, has been given a deadline of October 14, 2025, to vacate its residential location at 49 Beatty Road due to zoning non-compliance.
The business has operated from the property since 2003 and relocated to a backyard shed before the pandemic to streamline customer pickups. Following a significant increase in foot traffic caused by a viral TikTok review in 2024 from food blogger Keith Lee, the Town of Ajax began enforcing local bylaws, stating the bakery could no longer operate out of a residential space. After an initial call to shut down immediately, the town met with the business owners and agreed to a transitional plan.
Under the temporary arrangement, Biscuits to Baskets may continue operating through a pre-order and appointment-only model, according to Insauga. Customers can place orders via Calendly, with staggered release times for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday pickups. The bakery’s coffee trailer, A La Carte (Ella), will continue to serve customers at Van Belle’s in Bowmanville. The Smith family, who runs the business, is now seeking a commercial space in the Ajax or Pickering area and has asked the community for suggestions. The operation at the current address will end after October 14 if a new location is not secured.
“We’ll be using this system until October 14, after which operations at 49 Beatty Rd. will come to a close indefinitely,” according to an announcement from the company. “Our focus is now on finding a new commercial space, and if you know of any available locations in the Ajax/Pickering area, we’d love to hear from you. Although deeply saddened by these changes, we want to express our gratefulness for your unwavering support throughout our journey and truly hope to continue serving you in new ways in the future. Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and for being such an important part of our story.”
