05/02/2024
Announcement.
Some of you may have guessed based on my extended absence — I’ve decided that I will be closing the retail space.
Naturally, it was extremely difficult to come to this decision. Ultimately, I’ve made it for the sake of my own wellbeing. While bringing good, honest food to a wonderful community was a joyful and gratifying experience, I can simply no longer keep up with the physical and emotional demand that comes with running a sourdough bakery.
I know there are many out there who do this work and do it extremely well. There are some among them I can proudly call friend or mentor. Alas, the all-consuming nature of plying this trade proved a little too much for me. This much I can say with confidence; the days are long and often lonely, sleep is elusive and the demands of a bakery are many and varied. The longer I tried to stay with it the more I could feel my mental and physical health eroding. Now seems the right time to call it a day and start taking better care of myself.
For what it’s worth, I’ve not decided to close due to lack of income; the bakery was doing quite well all things considered. That said, it’s not a dependable measure of the effort required to keep a small, independently owned business afloat. One thing this experience has given me is first-hand insight into just how challenging self-employment is. If nothing else, I’d urge you all to earnestly support the small businesses around you. It’s where the best, most dedicated and unique work is done. It might cost you a few extra bucks, but I guarantee you it’s for good reason.
All of this isn’t to say that you’ve seen the last of me. I aim to use these platforms to share the knowledge and insight I’ve gained during my tenure. I also hope to continue baking for people, even if in a sporadic and reduced capacity.
To the customers who turned out every week and offered their support — thank you. To the bakers who let me nag them incessantly for either technical or emotional support — thank you. To the team at Martin Street who graciously invited me into their space and offered me every conceivable means of supporting this endeavour — thank you.
See you soon, kids.