Ever since establishing Sarkozy Bakery and Café in 1978 with her husband Ken, Judy Sarkozy has become as much a part of Kalamazoo’s landscape as downtown itself. From her original storefront on Burdick to the reopened bakery on Michigan Avenue after a devastating fire in 2012, Judy’s resilience and deep connection with the community have been constants through decades of change.
Her story isn’t just one of baking elegant loaves and irresistible pastries — though she did famously get started by whipping up a French bread experiment powered by a bottle of Hungarian wine and a 23‑page recipe. It’s about building community. In the bakery’s early years, Judy organized holiday gift drives for residents of the old Rickman House, sparking traditions of kindness and connection that extended well beyond her kitchen.
Judy has also shown creativity in nurturing small businesses, celebrating the collaborative spirit of Kalamazoo. From supporting startup ventures through shared kitchens to baking thousands of cookies for local festivals despite setbacks, she transformed her bakery into a hub of culture and care.
Introducing the “Judy Sarkozy Loves Where She Lives Fund”
Now, in recognition of her remarkable impact, an anonymous donor has created the Judy Sarkozy Loves Where She Lives Fund through Kalamazoo Community Foundation. This fund channels Judy’s legacy into philanthropy, contributing to KZCF’s unrestricted fund, which supports the most urgent and pressing needs in Kalamazoo County.
Just as Judy’s bakery adapted to the many facets of community life by baking bread, fostering relationships and lifting those in need, this fund will offer flexible, essential support across local initiatives.
Why It Matters
Judy Sarkozy’s story is both inspiring and instructive: a testament to how one person’s passion — anchored in care, curiosity and community — can leave a lasting mark. The new fund honors this spirit beautifully, turning admiration into action. It invites us all to reflect on the fact that loving where you live isn’t just about place, it’s about people and the kindness we share.
Here’s to Judy, and to a future where the love she’s shown blooms through countless acts of generosity.
Interested in supporting the Judy Sarkozy Loves Where She Lives Fund? Make a gift today!
