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NATCHEZ — Like a wish come true, many people are happy to know that Wishes Sweets & Eats bakery at 506 Franklin St. will remain open under new ownership.

What’s more, the shop will not change, except for adding a couple of new items that the new owners, Erin and Tucker Bruce, bring with them once they officially take over in June.

Both the previous owner Caylen Caldwell and the Bruces aim for this transition to go “as smoothly as possible” with no interruption in the business hours, Erin said.

The Bruces had traveled a lot for Tucker’s work in the insurance industry and missed being at home in Natchez and were looking for a business opportunity to anchor them here.

That opportunity came when they heard that Wishes was closing, Erin said.

Though neither has cooked for a business, both enjoy at-home baking and love cooking.

“The next couple of weeks are all about getting us trained,” she said, which Caldwell will see through with the Bruces, from how to prep customers’ favorite recipes to the ins and outs of running the shop. “We need to know all of it.”

After that, Erin said she has a few new ideas to bring to the table, such as her signature charcuterie lunchboxes, Tucker’s family recipe for peanut butter fudge and a summer day camp of cupcake decorating for children.

The part Erin is most excited about is “To not see the doors close” at Wishes. “We’re not planning on changing anything,” she said. “We’re just excited to let it grow.”

As for the Caldwells, Caylen said she and her husband Loyd both landed dream jobs in the magical land of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida — an opportunity neither wanted to pass up.

Caylen’s next chapter begins in a Disney resort club, learning the hospitality trade she prepared for as a business owner in Natchez. Loyd will also work in public hospitality for Disney as a transit bus driver.

Caylen said her goal is to one day utilize Disney’s Aspire program to go to pastry school and learn to make desserts in the Disney restaurants.

The one drawback was that Caldwell thought she would have to close up shop in Natchez, that is, until Erin reached out wanting to take on the lease and keep the shop, Caldwell said.

“It’s a blessing in disguise,” Caylen said. “Our lease is up at the end of May, so we were in the process of running through it all, running out of things, trying to get rid of all of our inventory. Now we’re doing a complete 180 and trying to get everything ordered and restocked before they take over. They came ready, mentally, physically and emotionally ready. I knew it was going to take someone who has an army behind them and is ready to pour themselves into it. Owning a business is a lot, but I believe Erin and Tucker have that and not only that, but they have what it takes to make Wishes go to the next level. I was so sad at first to leave the community behind and all of the birthday parties, Mother’s Day treats, the little pick-me-ups and celebrations after losing a first tooth. But now I’m so excited for them and that Wishes gets to continue beyond me.”