Feeling reflective as we near a year!
It’s fun to watch how people’s curiosity leads them to stop and ask about our cottage bakery. I try to put them at ease and make them feel like it’s totally normal to be purchasing sourdough bread out of someone’s home. I focus on being present and try to not feel too embarrassed that I’m still in my slippers or that Bodhi’s shouting his latest demand at us from the house. Maybe I'll tell you how Trev got into bread baking or give you a little peek inside to see our tiny oven, but overall, my goal is to make you feel like you discovered something special, slightly hidden, and very unique about our West End neighborhood.
Time is telling us that we are nearing our one-year anniversary and I have to say it’s extraordinary to see our Night Heron supporters grow. Trev and I are consistently blown away by the kindness, generosity, and support we’ve received in its many forms. Thank you for all of your recommendations to friends, flower bouquets, written and spoken appreciations, freshly caught fish, backyard beehive honey, bulk sesame seeds, homemade lime curd, wire shelves, and in particular, the ways you’ve shown Bodhi some love (masks, children’s books, and toys). I know I’ve missed something but my goodness we are lucky people and our heads, hearts, and stomachs are full.
Summer Goals
As we peel off our masks and resume some sense of normalcy, we hope Night Heron Bread continues to be a part of your life here on the West End of Alameda. We are noticing a bit of changing tides and a desire for more specialty breads (does anyone have a lemon tree that hasn’t been picked so we can make olive bread again?!) and are working on new pastries such as a cherry pistachio bar that will easily become a new favorite! Loads of folks are expressing interest in helping us to move into a commercial kitchen space. No updates on that yet but renting a kitchen that can accommodate an oven that bakes more than 6 loaves an hour would mean waking up a little later on Saturday mornings, participating in a weekly farmers market, and more time for Trevor to develop new products to share with all of you. Fingers crossed, we keep thinking hopefully by the winter holidays!
As of Sunday, summer is officially here and we are feeling it. We’re ready to slow down and reconnect with our east coast family, meet Bodhi’s new cousin, swim in the warm Atlantic waters, and eat an unhealthy amount of pizza and bagels. So in order to do these important things, we’re closing the bakery for about 3 weeks. Our last production day for a little while will be Saturday, July 10th. So now is your time to stock up, fill your freezer, and be sure you have enough bread to make Panzanella salad the minute tomatoes really start to come in.
In terms of subscriptions, we’re releasing 2 different options for the summer months that are available for Thursday evenings & Saturday mornings (No Wednesdays in August). You can either go big and do a “Summer Subscription” which is 6 weeks of bread. That’s the first two weeks of July and all of August. Or perhaps you are doing a bit of traveling too and would rather plan for 4 weeks of bread and sign up for an “August Subscription”. Baker’s Choice is available as well, with both summer or just August options! We also wanted to put it out there that many of our customers tend to gift bread to their friends and family when they are out of town and unable to enjoy it themselves. It’s a wonderful gesture that ensures the bread doesn’t go to waste and helps us spread the word about Night Heron Bread.
Garden Party
One final note is that we hope you join us tomorrow, Saturday, June 26th as it is our fun monthly pop-up event at Tetrahedron Coffee! For those who have never attended, it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet your neighbors, spend time in a beautiful garden setting, all while sipping on a deliciously crafted coffee and a tasty griddle toast. We feel so grateful to Alex, Andrea, & Rohan of Tetrahedron Coffee who have so much intentionality around being a small business that celebrates community on the West End. And to our friend, Arthur who continues to collaborate with us and fire up his griddle! This month, we’re highlighting early tomatoes and stone fruit season with Shakshuka toast and Stone Fruit with Labneh - both are sure to be delicious! Bring your friends! We’d love to see you. 312 Santa Clara from 10-12.
Best wishes leaning into what summer has in store for you! Robin, Trevor, Arthur, & Bodhi
