Dear HeartStone community,

With humble hearts, we are reaching out to the community that has loved and supported HeartStone Artisan Bakery for so many years.

Many of you know Brian, my partner and the incredible head bread baker behind the sourdough breads that have become part of our bakery’s identity. For years, Brian has worked tirelessly—often long, physically demanding days—mixing, shaping, and baking the artisan breads that so many of you come in for each week. I have needed to transition away from the breads and become HeartStones full time pastry chef as the pastries were in high demand as well!

After years of farming and now baking, Brian now needs hip replacement surgery.

This surgery will allow him to heal and continue doing the work he loves, but it will also require recovery time that will significantly impact our small bakery.

We have been searching for experienced bakers who could temporarily step in to help with sourdough bread production, more specifically weighing flours, mixing doughs, and stretching and folding the doughs to prep them for the overnight ferment, but so far we have not had success finding someone who can take on this specialized work full time!  

Because of this, we may need to temporarily close the bakery for a short period( hoping for just 1 week) while Brian has surgery and begins recovery. During that time, I will also be stepping away to care for him in the early stages of healing.

When we reopen, I and our bakery team will continue baking and creating pastries and sweet and savory goods. We hope to be able to provide a small amount of sourdough breads when we first reopen but our sourdough bread production may be interrupted for a period of time until Brian is recovered.

As many small businesses know, the winter months are already the hardest time of year. This winter has been especially slow due to weather and economic challenges, and this unexpected situation comes at a very vulnerable moment for our little bakery.

That is why we are turning to the community that has supported HeartStone for so many years.

If our breads, pastries, and little bakery have ever brought you comfort or joy, we humbly ask for your support during this time. Every dollar helps us bridge this difficult period so that Brian can heal and we can keep HeartStone going.

Your support will help us:

• Cover essential bakery expenses during temporary closure

• Support lost income during Brian’s surgery and recovery

• Help us reopen and provide your favorite sourdough breads as quickly as possible! 

Brian has given his heart and strength to this bakery and to this community. This surgery will allow him to heal so he can continue baking the breads he loves for all of you.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of the HeartStone family. Your support, kindness, and encouragement mean more to us than we can express.

We truly would not be here without you.

With gratitude and love,

Amy & Brian

HeartStone Artisan Bakery