Our Story

At Buka Bakehouse, bread is more than food—it's memory, tradition, and love. Founded by Bujar Selimi, our bakery is rooted in the flavors of Kosovo and the warmth of his grandmother’s kitchen. After years of perfecting traditional recipes using organic, hand-crafted methods, Buka has become a beloved part of the Forest Hills community in Grand Rapids.

Unfortunately, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our bakery in our current space. The space we gathered in was too big for our needs, and we simply couldn’t keep up with the high cost of rent.

While we’re sad to say goodbye to this space, we’re also incredibly proud of what we built together with you. It’s not just about the baked goods—it’s about the relationships, the conversations, and the memories shared. That’s what made this place special.

While our ovens are off for now, our dream is far from over—and with your help, we believe we can bring Buka back!

Now, we’re searching for a cozier storefront that better fits our vision—and we need your help to make it happen.

Why We're Raising Funds

Our plans are to move into a smaller, more efficient space so we can continue to create beautiful breads, pastries, and Balkan specialties while remaining sustainable, health-conscious, and community-focused. Your support will help us:

Why It Matters

Buka means “bread” in Albanian, and bread means connection. At Buka, every loaf tells a story—of heritage, care, and community. This move allows us to grow sustainably while staying true to our core values: real food, real people, and real love.

Who We Serve

This campaign is for our neighbors, friends, and bread and pastry lovers everywhere—especially those who:

Let’s Rebuild This—Together

We believe small businesses are the soul of a community, and you—our customers, friends, and neighbors—have made our current place more than we ever dreamed it could be.

If you’ve ever shared a cookie from us, picked up a loaf for Sunday dinner, or just sat with a coffee and smiled, you’ve already been part of this story. Now we’re inviting you to be part of the next chapter.

Whether you’re able to support financially or simply share the word, we’re grateful beyond words. Thank you for believing in us, cheering us on, and making our little bakery something truly special.

Thank you for everything—past, present, and future. Let’s bring Buka Bakehouse back together.

With love and gratitude,

Bujar and Michelle Selimi

Buka Bakehouse

***No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or promotions are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.