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Overview

As seen from across College Avenue

In addition to the two Bloomington locations, the Bakehouse maintains a walk-in area at its main bakery on SR 37. They also sell baked goods to restuarants in Indianapolis such as St. Elmo's and Keystone Grill.

History

The main Bakehouse location at the corner of 6th and Walnut was opened by one the co-owners of Michael's Uptown Cafe in 1995. Strats Stratigios and Michael Cassady aimed to capitalize on a grown trend in the mid 90s toward providing fresh-baked breads. After spending years at Michael's trying to develop good bread recipes, the owners reached out to Bloomington cookbook author Bernard Clayton Jr..

With a license from the Rock Hill Consulting Firm in upstate New York, the Bakehouse brought an artisanal bakery to Bloomington. In May of 1995, the Bakehouse purchased a $55,000, 18,000 pound Fringard oven. It is gas fired, using bricks to retain the heat at a constant temperature. The oven was purchased direct from France and took two weeks to install. Prior to the Bakehouse's opening, Michael London, one of the founders of the Rock Hill Consulting Firm, trained the future staff.

After Michael Pollack's death in 2001, Pollack's partner, Michael Fitzgerald, sold control of the restuarant to Lyle and Kerry Feigenbaum. The Feigenbaum's owned the nearby Scholar's Inn restaurant. Eventually, Bakehouse breads were served at Scholar's Inn.

In 2003, the Feigenbaum's expanded The Bakehouse into the adjacent Ben Franklin frame shop. The new space, while connected with the original Bakehouse space had a separate entrance and was dedicated to bagels. The new space was spun off as the Scholar's Inn Bakehouse Bagels.

In early 2004, plans were announced to purchase the former Schlotsky's Deli location at 3002 E. Third Street and build a second full store. It opened in late November, 2004. In late 2005, the owners announced that they had begun renovation of the FDL Fragrance Building at 911 W. Simpson Chapel Road. In the summer of 2006, they moved baking operations to the new location so they can better meet the demand of their customers. Customers can purchase baked goods directly from the bakery at a small walk-in store. Visitors are treated with a window onto the bakery floor where they can watch the operation in action.

Study Location Information

• Unlimited coffee refills
• Free wireless connection
• Comfortable seating

Chefs

• Kathleen Horejz (1997-1998)
• Randy Favreau (1998-???)
• Richelle Wylie
• Jeff Duez

Owners

• Strats Stratigios and Michael Cassady (1995 - 1997)
• Michael Pollack (1997 - 2001)
• Lyle and Kerry Feigenbaum (2001 - )

Timeline

• 1995 Bakehouse opens on the northwest side of The Square
• 1996 Sold to Michael Pollack
• 1997 Started a catering service operated by Bakehouse Catering
• 2001 Sold to Lyle and Kerry Feigenbaum
• 2003 Opened Scholar's Inn Bakehouse Bagels adjacent to The Bakehouse on the square
• 2004 Opened second location on 3rd Street near College Mall
• 2005 Bought former FDL Fragrances building. Moving baking operations to new location.

References

Werth, Brian: "Ooh-la-la: New bakery to feature French oven", The Herald Times, (21 May 1995)
Wesley, Ann: "New Bakehouse going upper crust with special training", The Herald Times, (26 July 1995)