10/13/2026
Dearest friends,
As we cross the threshold of Autumn, the falling leaves, the cooling air, and the end of harvest remind me of the nature of impermanence and the inevitability of change. It seems as good a time as any for me to announce that such a season of change has come into my personal life as well and I’ve made the decision to hang up my apron and step away from my beloved bakeshop. I understand that this may come as a shock and surprise to so many that share my deep affection for Crust & Crumbles so I’d like to take this opportunity to explain why and to share what you can expect.
When I baked my first loaf of bread to sell at the Rockford City Market in its inaugural year, I was only 25 years old. In the 17 years since, so much life has happened…my oldest daughter who was only a toddler back when I started C&C at the farmers' markets is now a sophomore in college and my younger two babies that were born a few years after I opened the brick & mortar bakeshop are now a preschooler and a toddler. The bakery has grown leaps and bounds over all these years thanks to all of your loyal patronage, and many amazing people have worked very hard alongside me to build this business into a thriving bright spot in our community. I’m extremely grateful to all my employees and to all our customers, and endlessly proud of what we’ve accomplished together.
This past summer had brought some unexpected news with it. My brother’s sudden passing a few months ago left a hole in our family’s hearts and further strengthened my resolve of wanting to be more present for my children and my elderly parents who live halfway across the world. And while I have a strong and capable team at the bakery that has my back, I don’t want to have to choose between being there to support them and being there for my family. My life and my priorities look starkly different now than when I first started C&C. And though it’s not been an easy decision to let go of something that’s still going so strong, I’ve accepted that just as it does in nature, even good things come to an end and that’s okay.
We will close the bakeshop on Christmas Eve just like how we end every calendar year, and also because that timeline naturally aligns with the end of my lease. Until then, the plan is to continue operating as normal, keep my team employed through the holiday season, support them through this transition, celebrate Crust & Crumbles, cherish every visit with you guys, and also to bake our hearts out!
This community’s embrace of our bakery has never failed to uplift my soul. Your love and generous support for it has truly changed my life. Thank you so much and I hope to see ya’ll when you stop by the bakeshop.
Yours truly,
Jojo