There was a good chance a Connecticut bakery was going to have to close its doors for good Monday because of a decline in business, in part, the owners believe, because of their public support of LGBTQ rights.

But the Bristol community and beyond came through for Bakery on Maple owners Erika and Dave Landi and love won on many fronts.

The Landis aren’t out of the woods financially yet, but on Monday they were back baking and smiling at 105 Maple St.

A large PRIDE flag hangs in the window of Bakery on Maple in Bristol , as owners Erika and Dave Landi are huge supporters of equality for all. Contributed.

A longtime cake customer last week spread a Facebook message that the bakery was in financial trouble and needed support immediately.

Customers showed up in droves from around the state Saturday to buy their baked goods.

There was surprisingly a line outside when the Landis opened Saturday and the bakery sold out in an hour and 20 minutes.

They closed for a short time to bake more, reopened at noon and sold out in another 45 minutes.

After that they took orders to be picked up or delivered Sunday.

Supportive customers helped, bringing pizza, coffee and change for the staff.

“We were shocked – really blown away,” said Dave Landi noting the support felt as important as money.

“This was a great boost. We’re not begging for money, we’re begging for you to order from us.”

In a few days, a GoFundMe set up by the same customer had raised $3,845 of a $10,000 goal.

“We’ve put everything we have into the business,” and they are making changes with hopes of continuing, Landi said.

The hours for the bakery, open three days a week, have been changed from noon to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dave Landi said there’s been a huge drop in retail traffic and so with the high and ever-changing price of ingredients, coupled with labor issues, combined factors hurt the business financially. They opened in 2021.

He and Erika attribute part of that decline to being outspoken supporters of the LGBT community and other social justice issues .

Soon after they opened there was rally in Bristol about a block away promoting “traditional” marriage and the Landis put it out there that they had rainbow cupcakes, Landi said.

He said they also have a large PRIDE flag in the window, sell rainbow cupcakes, and have “Everybody’s Welcome Here,” sign.

Erika Landi said she thinks some customers just “kind of forgot about us,” because they’re such small business owners. Hopefully, she said, people will keep coming back. After last weekend, they’re “above water,” she said.

Bristol Democratic Town Chairman Ken Rasmussen-Tuller, who is married to a man, with whom he has three children, said the couple has a lot of support from the LGBTQ community and fabulous baked goods. Rasmussen-Tuller, a regular, said he recently even planned a whole meal around the bakery’s garlic bread.

“We very much appreciate the Landis’ support of our community and we appreciate we have a safe place to go,” he said. “It was very touching to see Bristol turn out for them over the weekend. I’d hate to see them have to close the doors.”

Dave Landi said that although he and Erika always believed in equality, as former health care workers, it was heavily stressed to treat people equally. Prior to opening the bakery, he was a paramedic and she an emergency department technician.

“We just want people to know we accept them here,” he said. “My personal opinion is it’s only political if you make it political.”

Dave Landi said part of the decline could also be that he ran for City Council recently on a platform of equality and compassion.

The organizer of the groundswell to save the bakery was small business owner and nurse Danielle Bender, who has been ordering all her cakes from Erika Landi for 12 years — since way back when Landi baked at home with a cottage industry license.

Bender said the Landis give tons to all segments of the community and “I thought it was only fair to help her like she’s helped us.”

Bender isn’t sure how much the LGBTQ support has to do with the business decline, but she said the couple has, “Definitely created a safe space for anyone who’s LBGTQ friendly.”

She called the couple’s baked goods, “To die for,” and was told by a man waiting in line Saturday that he comes all the way from Greenwich for the croissants and pastries after living in France.

The bakery, which calls itself an “artisanal microbakery” doesn’t have as much selection as typical bakeries, but customers can order any dessert that’s not available, including those that are vegan and gluten-free.

They carry specialty cakes, cookies, cupcakes, pastries, breads and croissants.

“I just hope people continue to support her baked fresh daily and custom made to order products,” Bender said. “I’m overwhelmed with the support Bristol has shown her.”

In a plea on Facebook last week, Erika wrote: “We need a huge Saturday and Sunday here because it may be the last.”

She went on to write: “I’m thoroughly disappointed that I have to share this but, the bakery may be closing on Monday. I have given everything I have and owned to making this dream sustainable and while the recent changes have helped and put us on a path to being sustainable without financial help we cannot continue to operate.”

On the LGBTQ front, she wrote on Facebook, “I have also used my bakery’s platform to stand with and support the LGBTQ community even though it’s cost me customers and revenue, I still stand with them because they deserve that.”

She wrapped it up with, “And if this is the end of my journey I want you all to know that I love everyone of you! Including those who weren’t happy with me or my work because it made me better. I wish you all the joy and happiness in the world!”