The cottage food industry - boutique home-based businesses with direct-to-consumer sales, are some of the most popular and fastest-growing businesses in West Hartford. Since passing a law in 2018 allowing home-based food businesses, the state has seen an explosion of them and West Hartford is now home to numerous notable success stories, including:
Small State Provisions.
Owner and Lead Baker Kevin Masse founded his bakery business during the pandemic with his sourdough bread recipe, then opened a small storefront bakery inside Gastropark. He recently added a new store in Avon.
Smallstateprovisions.com
Katie Bee’s Bakery
Specializing in small-batch designer cookies, Kaitlyn Larson’s confections are edible masterpieces. With 14 years of experience, her philosophy revolves around simple recipes with classic flavors. Her designs include incredible detail on each cookie and might make you hesitant to take a bite - but don't! Every bite is worth it!
Katiebeesbakery.com
Little Owls Bakery: Heart is the Secret Ingredient
Owner Stephanie Barnes crafts more than just cookies; she creates memories. Whether it's a corporate logo or an iconic image, Stephanie measures and mixes life into flour and icing with unparalleled artistry. For Barnes, baking is not just a profession; it's a personal journey that began in 2020 with family at the center. "Little Owls," pays tribute to her three daughters.
Littleowlsbakery.com
Spruce & Rye Baking Co: Nordic Nostalgia with a Modern Twist
Liza and Joe Padellaro of Spruce & Rye Baking Co. bring European bakery tradition here. Their journey began in 2017 in a Manhattan apartment, where they experimented with a blend of old Nordic recipes and modern aesthetics. They painstakingly recreate the authentic flavors of renowned bakeries and central to their creations is their heirloom sourdough starter.
Spruceandryebakingco.com
All three businesses represent just a morsel of the cottage food companies popping up around town and are outstanding examples of food entrepreneurs who demonstrate that food can serve up flavors along with stories, traditions, and personal connections.