When Jessica Farrell quietly launched The Bread Shed, she never imagined her small sourdough venture would grow into one of Norfolk County’s most buzzed-about micro-bakeries.
We sat down with Farrell, who said she started giving out the bread as a “thank you”, and it just spread from there.
From there, she moved operations to her own place just down the road where she consistently sells out.
Part of sourdough’s popularity, Farrell says, comes down to health. She hears from many people who believe they can’t digest gluten anymore, only to discover that naturally fermented sourdough works for them. For many customers, sourdough has become a way to enjoy bread again without digestive discomfort.
Her bread became so popular that, for the most part, she had to stop taking in custom orders as it really is a one woman show – mostly.
But it isn’t just bread attracting crowds now.
Farrell expanded by adding selling her special cookies, which have gained a following of their own.
With the holiday season approaching, Farrell says she’s sticking to her regular menu, but she’ll be offering a limited number of Christmas gift packages for teachers and holiday shoppers.
For anyone thinking about turning a hobby into a business, Farrell offers simple advice: start. She also credits her success to Norfolk County’s strong culture of supporting local businesses.
As The Bread Shed continues to expand, Farrell remains grounded in the local roots that helped her succeed—from customer loyalty to inter-business collaborations.
Written by Matt Leblanc