Myshayley Cowie, 5, from Lockwood, at Beechworth Bakery.

Hungry central Victorians flocked to the opening of the Beechworth Bakery in Bendigo yesterday. Hundreds of people dropped in to the bakery at the corner of Don and High streets to sample a pie and a cake or two.

Founded by Tom O'Toole in 1984, the Beechworth Bakery boasts a proud tradition as one of Australia's most well known regional bakeries.

The Bendigo bakery is the fourth Beechworth Bakery to open in regional Victoria, joining Beechworth, Albury and Echuca. The bakery features indoor and outdoor seating, a selection of about 200 pies, pasties and pastries, and onsite car parking. While there were plenty of pies being ordered, the menu also features some not so traditional bakery food, such as a Sicilian focaccia.

The site is the former location of the La Cocina Mexican restaurant. But it has been quickly transformed since the bakery got the go ahead from the council late last year. Workman were yesterday still adding the finishing touches.

Manager Andrew Ryan, 25, said it was exciting to see the bakery open. "It is great. I think it will succeed because of the quality of the product and the service. There is nothing else like it".

Symes Motors employee Peita Welvell dropped in for lunch yesterday. "I'm so surprised how open it is. It feels nice and big, not like a dingy little bakery. I will definitely come back again".

A new Beechworth Bakery in Healesville is expected to open soon.