Holiday Desserts with a Side of Family Tradition at Mrs. Lacy’s

I’ve been part of Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia House for almost 24 years now. Hard to believe. I started when I was just 14 years old, dropped off after school to roll silverware and help clean up the back. At the time, it was just a way to make a little gas money. My grandmother, Faye Schulz, could have hired someone else for those small tasks, but she graciously gave me the opportunity—and that decision shaped a big part of my life.

Once I got my license, my responsibilities shifted into the kitchen. I started baking cakes before or after school, working nearly every Saturday around my sports schedule. What hooked me wasn’t just earning a paycheck (though I always thought that part was pretty cool and still do), but being surrounded by family.

My Aunt Teresa—who we all call Reesie—worked in the kitchen. My Aunt Jamie, who’s close to me in age and feels more like a sister, worked there too (and still does today). And of course, my grandmother, Faye, was always there. Sometimes she’d pick me up after school to bring me in, and on the way we’d stop for a snack or an ice cream. She’s got a sweet tooth like no other—though she won’t pass up a good hamburger either.

Working at Mrs. Lacy’s has always been more than just baking. It’s been laughter, a few family arguments here and there, and countless shared moments that come from spending so much time together. My favorite memories, though, are from the holidays.

Every Thanksgiving and Christmas for the past 24 years, our entire family (plus any employees we can recruit) has come together in our tiny kitchen to bake an unbelievable amount of desserts. If you’ve ever seen the size of our kitchen, you’d swear it couldn’t be done. But we do it—year after year.

We bake Hershey cakes, milkshake cakes, butter pecan cakes, chocolate chess pies, coconut custard pies, German chocolate pies, coconut cakes, red velvet cakes—and so much more. On top of that, customers request all kinds of specialty desserts. Every year, I fuss and complain that we shouldn’t take on too many custom orders, but Faye never says no. She’s a people-pleaser through and through, and she loves this community just as much as she loves feeding it.

That holiday desserts family tradition continues today. We’re excited to announce that holiday dessert orders for Thanksgiving and Christmas are now open.

Here’s how you can place your order:

• Email us at 
• Send us a message on Facebook or Instagram
• Call the restaurant directly at 919-777-6787

Over the years, we’ve sold thousands—maybe even hundreds of thousands—of desserts to families in Sanford and beyond. It’s something we take pride in, and something we’re truly grateful for. Desserts are at the heart of what Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia House is known for, and we can’t wait to be part of your holiday celebrations again this year.

From my family to yours—thank you for supporting us, laughing with us, and sharing in our sweet traditions. We’ll see you soon at Mrs. Lacy’s, and hopefully at your holiday table too.