In this episode of Remembering the Block, Dr. Michelle S. Johnson sits down with Judy Sarkozy, founder of Sarkozy’s Bakery, for a wide-ranging conversation about her journey to Kalamazoo, the history of the bakery, and the people and businesses that helped shape the neighborhood around it. Sarkozy reflects on arriving in Kalamazoo in 1977 after leaving academia, where she had earned a PhD and conducted research involving information theory and sea slugs. Disillusioned by sexism in academia, she and her husband, Ken, began looking for a community where they could build a life. Kalamazoo stood out for its diverse economy, agricultural roots, cultural life and sense of community. The story of Sarkozy’s Bakery began almost unexpectedly during the Blizzard of 1977. While living in a drafty farmhouse, Judy decided to make a meal that included homemade French bread using Julia Child’s famously detailed recipe. The bread turned out so well that she and Ken joked that they could sell it—and that idea soon became a business. Sarkozy’s opened on February 25, 1978, with a small selection of breads and a great deal to learn. The early years were difficult, but the bakery was embraced by the community. Judy also recalls what the neighborhood was like when she arrived, including the businesses, restaurants, artists and community members who made the area unique. She remembers figures such as Fred Jones, Neal Jewell and Larry Bell, and describes the relationships that developed among the people who lived and worked nearby. At the heart of the conversation is Judy’s philosophy about what work should provide. Influenced by the book Small Is Beautiful, she believes a business should produce something good and necessary, allow workers to use and develop their gifts, and contribute to the community that supports it. Those principles continue to guide Sarkozy’s approach to employees, wages and benefits, as well as her commitment to the neighborhood. Judy also reflects on the future of the block, the importance of creating places where people can gather, and the role of community in sustaining local businesses. Her memories reveal a deep connection between entrepreneurship, social responsibility and place—and demonstrate how a small business can become part of the fabric and history of a community.