Meet Darlene Marks and Jim Johnson of Three Danes Inn and Baking Company in Fort Worth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Darlene Marks and Jim Johnson.

Darlene and Jim, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Gathering groups of people I love into my home space – and feeding them – has been a key part of my life for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, I saw my mom and dad do it. When we traveled to Denmark to visit my wonderful family there, I understood: Tradition – family – friends – food – coziness – quality of life – embracing the beauty and joy in simple things. “Hygge” – the Danish word, which encompasses all of this. I remember my Danish mom making Danish butter cookies and kringle for me, my family and our friends – the earliest memories of smell and taste that I can recall – and thinking, “this is truly heaven”. From my earliest years, I wanted to be in the kitchen – and I wanted to bake. For me, working with dough is like meditation – and sharing the finished product with people is pure joy! I used to bake Danish treats (family recipes, for the most part) for family and friends at holidays. People went crazy – and encouraged me to consider selling my baked treats. This went on for years! It remained a happy hobby – while I pursued my first career – as a classical singer – and then a teacher of singing (which I still do to this day). During this time, I met my soulmate – my husband – Jim Johnson – who shared my love of entertaining, fellowship with friends and family, and food. I dreamed of owning a baking company of my own – and Jim encouraged me to follow my heart (as he always has). I jumped – and opened my baking company – Three Danes Baking Company – out of my tiny kitchen, in the historic Fairmount neighborhood of Fort Worth. It soon became apparent that we were out-growing our kitchen – and we began looking for a suitable, commercial kitchen space. In August of 2015, we found the Maxwell-Liston house – an historic, Queen Anne property in Fort Worth’s near Southside. The property seemed like the perfect fit – a place to have my commercial kitchen and bakery storefront AND a place to open a bed and breakfast (something Jim and I had dreamed about for years!). With the help of my amazing and fearless mom – Erna Marks – our family purchased the property and began renovation. Finally, we opened the bakery storefront in February of this year and the bed and breakfast (Three Danes Inn) in September. It has been an exciting and wonderful ride – the realization of so many dreams. I get to work with my family – and I get to share the Danish “hygge” with others! I truly pinch myself every time I walk through the door.

Has it been a smooth road?
Honestly, I have to say it has not! I pursued a career in classical singing for years (I have a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance) and taught as a tenured Assistant Professor at a local college. Teaching in higher education was a struggle – and disappointing in many ways. As a result, I made the decision to leave that position in 2008 to start my own teaching studio at home. Though this involved a large decrease in income for my husband and me, I have never doubted that it was the right decision. INSTANTLY, my life improved. And it taught me to follow my gut – my heart – my dreams. Someone shared with me this quote – and I have no idea who said it originally – “jump and the net will appear”. So – I think that having started one business (successfully) on my own, gave me courage (and wisdom) about doing it again. There have been moments of fear – but I simply refuse to live there. Failure is simply not an option.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Three Danes Inn and Baking Company – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Well – I actually have three companies – lucky me! I am known first as an instructor of singing. I started a teaching studio in my home in 2008 (after years of teaching in higher education) and have loved every minute of it. I teach students from ages 11 – 80 – who sing in every imaginable style. They are amazing, talented, smart, funny and miraculous in every way. I have learned an ENORMOUS amount from them – about singing, music, learning and life. My second business is Three Danes Baking Company – which I started in 2015. We specialize in Danish pastries and treats (made the old-fashioned, Danish way) – and I believe this sets apart from others. We believe in simple, high-quality ingredients – and people tell me they can taste the difference. Everything is done by hand – in a very slow, labor-intensive process. We – my mom, assistant (Hailey Fincher) and I – love every second of it. And I believe the love is the difference. People can taste it! And the third is Three Danes Inn – a bed and breakfast – in the same property as Three Danes Baking Company. We are most proud of the “hyggelige” atmosphere, which we have created there. The emphasis is on a quality experience – quality food, sleep, surroundings. I think what sets us apart is our gourmet continental breakfast – featuring freshly baked Danish pastries and breads from our bakery.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like best: Approach to lifestyle in Fort Worth is slower than in many cities of its size. Though we are a large city – it has a small-town feel.

I like least: As a foodie, it seems that most kitchens close before 10. It would be so lovely to find something wonderful to eat after 10 pm – something I know people in Dallas can find!

Contact Info:

• Address: 712 May Street,
  Fort Worth, TX 76104
• Website: www.threedanesinn.com
• Phone: 817-690-8465
• Email: darlene@threedanesbakingcompany.com; stay@threedanesinn.com
• Instagram: @threedanesbakingco
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/threedanesbaking; www.facebook.com/threedanesinn

Image Credit:
Iris Galvan

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