Retiring — Carol Caballero

Story and photo by Kerry Phelps Dale

As much a staple at The Upper Crust as flour and sugar, Carol Caballero has been serving the community at the Middleburg bakery off and on since she was in the tenth grade.

Twenty-four years and generations of cookie lovers later, she has decided to move on to the next phase of her life. Though she has not yet nailed down her next job, Carol knows she wants more time with her children, David and Maya, and husband, Nelson. “I’d love to work for a nice family after I have some time off,” she says.

“The Stine family have been wonderful, but it’s time to take care of my family and myself,” she says of the Upper Crust owners.

Carol takes not a millisecond to say that it is her customers she will miss most. “They say it takes a village and it’s so true. They have helped me raise my children and really helped me through hard times. When you need the help, everyone steps up.”

Evident from an outpouring of good wishes in response to a Facebook post a local woman put up announcing her retirement, the community will miss Carol, too. “Thanks for all of the wonderful years you have given us,” the sentiments echo. ML