our history
OVER A CENTURY OF SWEETS
at 103 E. Prairie
For over a century, 103 E Prairie has been a familiar space for people to socialize and shop for sweet treats. Built in 1885, this historic building housed a simple drug store and the Vicksburg Commercial newspaper before turning its sights on sweeter pastures. In 1917, Herman Faust moved in, opening Faust's Place of Sweets, where he sold the community sugary treats for 26 years.
Remembering the beloved
doris lee sweet shop
In 1944, a new chapter began with Doris and Leland Weick when they opened the Doris Lee Sweet Shop—one of Vicksburg's most beloved and longstanding storefronts. Their sweet shop wasn't just about candy; it was an experience. The husband-wife duo crafted their own ice cream alongside an inventory of sweets and gifts.
But the real magic of the Doris Lee Sweet Shop was Doris herself.
Stories have been told over the years that say she became the Village's gift-giving guru. Men would flock to the store to do last-minute shopping for the special gals in their lives, and the ladies would point out items they liked to Doris, who would then relay that information to their partners.
The couple even kept the shop open late on movie nights to give moviegoers from the theatre around the corner a place to enjoy a sweet snack after the show. It was a picture-perfect representation of the close-knit community found here in Vicksburg.
Images courtesy of Vicksburg Historical Society
BLENDING HISTORY WITH MODERN DAY
at Mackenzies Bakery
For 22 years, 103 E Prairie remained vacant until Vicksburg native Chris Moore decided to revive what was once loved by our friends and neighbors. Today, Mackenzies Bakery has made a home in the iconic building.
Once a well-loved, family-owned business in Kalamazoo, the original MacKenzies Bakery closed its doors in 2020. It was difficult for folks to imagine letting the legacy of this beloved staple of the community end, so Moore reintroduced Mackenzies Bakery in historic downtown Vicksburg to carry on its 40-year tradition. Today, Mackenzies honors a century worth of memories from all the sweet businesses that once operated in its space with a modern, elevated twist on baked goods.
We invite our community and our visitors alike to enjoy our scratch-made artisanal breads, baked goods, sweets, coffees, teas and partner products in an inviting space, and hope that each visit to our shop kindles memories of the child within each of us.
It's a reminder that a little sweetness can go a long way in bringing people together and creating memories that last a lifetime.
