From Croissants to Community: The Story of Marlo’s Bakery

In downtown Fairbanks is Marlo’s Bakery. Named after her daughter, pastry chef and entrepreneur Catherine Skrivanek’s sweet success story began with humble roots at the local farmer’s market and has since risen—like her famed croissants—into a beloved community staple.

From Farmer’s Market to Flourishing Storefront

Catherine’s journey into baking wasn’t born from a grand business plan, but rather a pivot. Originally wanting to serve hot food at the farmer’s market, Catherine was told there was no room for another hot food vendor. Undeterred, she proposed something different: bread and sweets. “They said awesome—we’ll take it. We don’t have anyone doing that,” she recalled.

That single “yes” launched a new direction. Her sister suggested croissants, and they sold out in two hours on the very first day.

"I didn’t realize the power of the croissant,” Catherine said, laughing. By summer’s end, they were making 120 croissants per market day.

After 12 years at the farmer’s market, in 2017, Catherine and her husband, Tyler, opened their brick-and-mortar location. It didn’t take long before Tyler left his own job to join the bakery full-time. The demand was simply too high.

A Menu Inspired by Heritage and Travel

Catherine’s Filipino heritage plays a subtle but meaningful role in her baking. “I was born in the Philippines, but I hadn’t been back in 40 years until last year,” she shared. That trip reignited her connection to Filipino pastries, like ensaymada—a soft, fluffy roll topped with whipped butter, sugar, and a little bit of cheese. “People always assume we have donuts, and we do not, but this is the closest thing to a donut because it’s super light and fluffy.”

Other Filipino offerings include pandesal, a sweet dinner roll, and ube-infused creations featuring the vibrant purple yam, which has a slightly nutty, vanilla-like flavor and is popular in Southeast Asia. “I’ll mix it with sweet cream cheese and pipe it into a danish. It’s very popular in Hawaii and the Philippines,” she added.

Small Team, Big Results

The bakery remains a small family operation with a few seasonal staff rounding out the team, especially in the busy summer months. They continue to sell at Fairbanks Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays on College Road. Inside the bakery, locals come in for their favorites. The top sellers? Cream cheese danishes, chocolate croissants, and almond croissants. Seasonal hits include strawberry rhubarb tarts made with locally sourced rhubarb and miniature five-inch pies during the holidays. “People love them because they don’t have to choose just one big pie,” Catherine said.

For the lunch crowd, they serve three different savory croissants, plus a rotating weekly soup. Though the bakery doesn’t offer indoor seating, summer brings outdoor tables under a cozy tent.

The heart of Marlo’s Bakery lies in its mission to create joy through flavor, nostalgia, and flaky perfection.

“I want people to come in and enjoy our pastries. I know they can’t come in everyday, but when they do, I want it to be a special treat for them,” says Catherine.

Whether you’re a local grabbing your favorite croissant or a visitor discovering Filipino pastries for the first time, one thing is certain—Marlo’s pastries are made with a combination of butter, sugar and a whole lot of love.

Visit Marlo’s Bakery at 206 Driveway Street, Fairbanks, AK