“New CSA-style bakery in Petworth”

photo by Alanna Reeves

“Dear PoPville,

I’m a professional baker and I recently started a small neighborhood bakery in Petworth specializing in breads and Ashkenazi Jewish treats. Since we’re heading into the cold winter months, I thought your readers might be interested in stocking up some carbs. Plus, it’s an unconventional business model.

The business is called Velvel Breads and it functions like a CSA — customers buy a month of bread upfront, then get to pick up a loaf each week. Currently, I offer sourdough loaves on Wednesdays and challah loaves on Fridays, with the option for customers to add on different treats each week

. One of the pick up locations is at my home here in Petworth (which is also where the breads are baked).

Bread subscriptions are always Pay What You Can. If the suggested prices on the menu are prohibitive, I encourage customers to pay less at checkout. On the flip side, if a customer has the financial ability/privilege to do so, I ask that they consider paying more to sustain this sliding scale business model.

Customers can buy bread on my Minimart page.

Velvel Breads isn’t a typical brick and mortar shop, so I think neighbors will be really interested in learning about it and signing up for an alternative source to buy fresh, local goods.”