The Heart of Why We Gather: Inside Cella Mae’s Bakehouse in Charles Town

June 30, 2025

For Krystina Nappi and her husband Ron Moats, Cella Mae’s Bakehouse is more than a bakery—it’s a heartfelt tribute to family, community, and the deep-rooted joy of gathering around good food. Since opening their doors on April 12, 2025, this neighborhood bakehouse has been filling Augustine Avenue with the aroma of hand-crafted pastries, family favorites, and the kind of warmth that comes from doing what you love. 

From the very beginning, Cella Mae’s has been rooted in family, love, and the belief that food has the power to bring people together. Named after Krystina’s mother—affectionately called “Cella” by her father—the bakery draws its inspiration from the warmth and connection found around the family table. Krystina’s journey to opening the storefront wasn’t an overnight success; it was years in the making. Her passion for the culinary arts has always been a guiding force, nurtured by personal experience, a supportive community, and formal training that taught her not just how to make the goods—but how to build the business behind them. Even before the shop opened, Krystina kept the spark alive by baking from home, finding any opportunity to create. “When you have a passion for this,” she says, “you always find a way to keep baking.” That passion, coupled with the unwavering encouragement of friends and family, transformed a dream into reality when the opportunity to move into a former bakery space came along. With the blessing and support of the previous owners, Karla and Kylie, it felt like a sign from the universe: this was meant to be. 

At the heart of it all is a simple but powerful philosophy: “You leave somebody better than you found them,” Krystina says. “That’s our mission.” It’s a sentiment that extends far beyond the pastries and into every interaction within the bakehouse. Following in the footsteps of the family-centered warmth that inspired the business, Krystina aims to offer more than a transaction—she offers an experience. From the moment customers step through the door, they’re not just greeted with the smell of something delicious in the oven—they’re welcomed into a space filled with intention, care, and connection. “You can’t replace the human connection,” she shares. Whether it’s remembering a regular’s favorite item or encouraging someone to try something new, each moment is an opportunity to uplift and connect—one baked good at a time. 

“Food is a tool,” Krystina shares—and at Cella Mae’s, it’s one she uses to help customers expand their palates and discover something new. The bakery’s menu shifts with the seasons, offering a fresh experience each time you walk through the doors. Samples play a key role in this tasting journey. Whether it’s a slice of freshly baked focaccia—destined to become a staple—or a pastry featuring a flavor a customer may not have tried before, Krystina invites curiosity and exploration. “You might not know what focaccia is or if you’ll like it, but if I can give you a taste, you just might fall in love with something new.” That spirit of discovery is rooted in connection—to both the customer and the community. Many menu ideas come from local finds, like the morning Krystina spotted beautiful asparagus at Orr’s Farm Market in Shenandoah Junction and turned it into a quiche. As Cella Mae’s continues to grow, she hopes to incorporate more local ingredients, nourishing not just her customers, but the wider community that supports her. 

Though Krystina starts her mornings at 3:00 a.m., filling the shop with the comforting aroma of fresh pastries before the sun even rises, her drive never wavers. Much of that work ethic, she shares, comes from watching her father do the same—waking early every day to provide for their family, always without complaint. “Now, I get up excited—what can I get into today?” she says. That sense of purpose is matched by the powerful presence of her support system. Her husband, Ron, joins her in the evenings after finishing his own workday, lending his time and energy to the bakery’s growing momentum. Friends pitch in on weekends to help wherever they can, a true reflection of the community spirit that fuels Cella Mae’s. It’s all part of an ongoing journey. “Nothing is a period at the end,” Krystina says. “It’s ever evolving.” Whether it’s dreaming up new menu items, connecting with customers, or expanding their offerings to include lunches and snack boxes, every step forward is infused with heart, hard work, and a whole lot of love. 

Cella Mae’s Bakehouse is open Thursday through Saturday at 130 Augustine Avenue, Suite 64 in Charles Town, WV. For a rotating selection of baked goods made with love—and a reminder of the heart of why we gather—stop in and say hello. You just might leave a little better than when you came.