32 years strong: the story of Lida’s Food Basket and Bakery

BY HAELEY CARPENTER / Digital Media Director

Lida’s (pronounced lie-duh) Food Basket and Bakery has been serving Stephenville for over 30 years.

The original owner, Sue Leudtke, started the business in 1992. The current owner is Courtney Elleby.

“Her daughter was a teacher, so she kind of wanted to help give teachers a break sometimes, so she would make home cooked meals because you know when you're busy and eat out all the time it gets kind of tiring,” Courtney Elleby said. 

Leudtke first began making the meals out of her daughter, Ann’s, kitchen and put sweet treats with each meal. Her business was growing so much that Luedtke bought a storefront in 1993 on Frey Street where the bakery still lives today.

Elleby started working at Lida’s in 2017 when Ann was the owner and took over in 2019 when she was ready to retire.

Elleby makes all of the casseroles with the original recipes from Sue’s mother, Lida, which is where the name of the business comes from.

Lida’s has 15 types of casseroles with sizes ranging from individual, which serves one person to double, which serves 15-20 people. They have side options of salads and vegetables and desserts ranging from pies to cakes and cookies.

“If you miss home cooking then you should give us a try,” Elleby said. “We have something that I think anybody would like. We have a variety of options and sizes. If you're a single person and you don’t want anything big or if you're wanting to meal prep then you can get a large and freeze them.”

Elleby’s favorite casserole is the ham and potato. Her favorite dessert is the pecan pie and the chocolate sheet cake.

When asks what sells the best Elleby said, 

“Our casseroles are our biggest seller. It depends on the day and the week and the time of the year.”

Lida’s currently has Valentine’s Day themed bakery items including heart shaped cookies and cakes and decorated cupcakes. They are open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Elleby is keeping the tradition that Leudtke started by giving a 20% discount for teachers and a 10% discount for students.

Elleby works with three other people, including Michelle Pierce, who has been the baker for 18 years. When you order in the store, there is a jar at the cashier for donations. These donations go to Michelle’s 3-year-old niece who is battling brain cancer.

Everything is made fresh in house. They always have casseroles on hand, but you can also call ahead with 24 hours notice and ask for something specific.

“I enjoy cooking,” Elleby said. “That's how I reach people. I enjoy it when I can make something to give to someone and it makes them feel better.”

 Sue and Ann Leudke stop in every now and then to see how Elleby and Lida’s Bakery are doing.