Bodø Native Opens Bakery in De Smet

The Velvet Whisk brings Norwegian baking traditions to small-town South Dakota

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:18pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring an assortment of freshly baked Norwegian pastries and breads, including krumkake, lefse, and skillingsboller, arranged elegantly on a clean, white seamless background with dramatic studio lighting and deep shadows to highlight the textures and colors of the handcrafted, artisanal baked goods.An artful display of traditional Norwegian baked goods from The Velvet Whisk, a new bakery bringing international flair to the small town of De Smet.De Smet Today

Thea Ryen, a recent graduate originally from Bodø, Norway, has opened a new bakery called The Velvet Whisk in the small town of De Smet, South Dakota. Ryen is bringing her Norwegian baking expertise and traditional recipes to the local community, offering specialty pastries, breads, and other sweet treats.

Why it matters

The opening of The Velvet Whisk represents a unique cultural exchange, as a young Norwegian entrepreneur brings international flair to the heartland of America. It also highlights the growing popularity of artisanal baked goods and the ability of small-town businesses to thrive by tapping into local demand and global culinary trends.

The details

After graduating in 2024, Ryen decided to move to the United States and open her own bakery. She chose De Smet, a town of around 1,000 people, as the location for The Velvet Whisk due to its quaint, close-knit community and the lack of specialty bakeries in the area. Ryen's shop features a variety of Norwegian-inspired pastries, breads, and other baked goods, including traditional favorites like krumkake, lefse, and skillingsboller.

  • Thea Ryen graduated from university in 2024.
  • The Velvet Whisk opened in De Smet in early 2026.

The players

Thea Ryen

A young entrepreneur originally from Bodø, Norway, who has opened a new bakery called The Velvet Whisk in the small town of De Smet, South Dakota.

The Velvet Whisk

A new bakery in De Smet, South Dakota that specializes in Norwegian-inspired pastries, breads, and other baked goods.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I wanted to bring a taste of Norway to the American heartland. The response from the community has been so warm and welcoming.”

— Thea Ryen, Owner, The Velvet Whisk

What’s next

Ryen plans to continue expanding her menu and exploring new Norwegian baking techniques to offer unique products to the De Smet community. The Velvet Whisk is also considering adding online ordering and shipping to reach a wider customer base.

The takeaway

The Velvet Whisk's success demonstrates how an international entrepreneur can thrive in a small-town setting by tapping into local demand and sharing their unique cultural heritage through artisanal baked goods. This story highlights the potential for global culinary influences to enrich and diversify the offerings of local businesses.