Written by Siobhan Watters and Editorial Support: Kathy MacKay
During the holiday season, Artisan Bakery’s menu is filled with festive favourites, including big ol’ butter tarts, walnut sourdough, ginger molasses cookies, eggnog tarts, candy cane twists, gingerbread croissants, Christmas cake morning buns, stuffing sourdough, and cranberry orange sourdough with even more seasonal treats to discover. These baked goods make a delicious addition to holiday tables or a thoughtful local gift.
And after the holidays, Artisan Bakery remains a warm and welcoming community hub, where customers can enjoy fresh baking or pre-order breads, pizza dough, pastries, pantry items, and merchandise, supporting a local business rooted in care and connection year-round.
Let’s take a closer look at the story behind Artisan Bakery
Artisan Bakery has seen a lot of change over the years, re-launching in the midst of pandemic lockdown, with a front row seat to the massive construction projects that tore up Dundas St. east of Adelaide in 2023, and two changes of ownership since its inception (roughly 15 years ago). The bakery began as a market stall just a few steps away at Western Fair Market before relocating to a brick-and-mortar shop at 864 Dundas St. The bakery’s bread oven also made the move from market stall to store, where it continues to transform dough into delicious bread today. Taking the helm in 2021, owner and baker Sean Hannam has made it the bakery’s mission to support the local community and economy. He and his team have created a beautiful, inclusive space, and source ingredients for its classical French pastries and sourdough from local producers. If you are not already familiar, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Artisan Bakery, one of this year’s Food System Champions!
Sitting at the end of a row of brick storefronts in London’s Old East, Artisan Bakery takes up a mantle shared by its neighbours such as LIFE*SPIN, which offers support to low-income families and runs a free store Tuesdays through Thursdays. For its part, Artisan runs a Bread Donation Program, where customers may opt to add a nominal $2.50 to their tab in order to pass on a loaf of bread to someone in the community who needs it. Together with these donated loaves, Artisan sends an equivalent amount (often more) to local community support groups such as Ark Aid Mission and Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre, to the tune of 300-500 loaves per month. A sign in the store reminds customers that such donations are welcome (in-store and online) whether one makes a purchase or not. But, I would recommend chasing your contribution to the community with a latte and a deliciously flaky croissant, which I have heard described as equal to the best pastries in Paris (and I don’t mean Ontario!).
As a frequent customer, I have seen many times just how much care the owner and employees of Artisan Bakery show to vulnerable people in Old East, offering free coffee and asking no questions when someone approaches the counter in need. Artisan Bakery does not survive as a business in spite of the visible challenges faced in the community. It thrives because it is embedded in the community and embraces its commitment to it. And the model must be working! Along with maintaining its weekend presence at Western Fair Market (minus the bread oven) and vending at Komoka’s Saturday market, Artisan Bakery has expanded to a second location at 29 Kilworth Park Drive in Kilworth, ON.
Artisan Bakery bolsters its local community and its economy, too, by supporting nearby growers and producers. Flour for their baked offerings comes from Arva Flour Mills, dairy products from Proof Line Farm in Ilderton, ON, and seasonal fruits from growers in Niagara region. You can shop their pantry for Arva’s flour, Proof Line’s milk, Rebel kombucha, local honey, Las Chicas coffee beans (roasted in St. Thomas), artisanal jams, wares from local artists, and house made granola and fresh pizza dough. Known for their sourdough bread, you will also find Japanese milk bread, Viking rye, baguettes, and roasted garlic focaccia bread on offer at Artisan Bakery, as well as a selection of sandwiches and pastries that highlight seasonal produce, such as the recent cherry streusel and garlic scape pesto twists. Finally, the bakery features a community board hung with ads for local shows and community meetings, and a gallery wall for local artists.
Artisan Bakery is open 7 days a week at its Dundas and Kilworth locations, with weekend offerings at Western Fair and Komoka markets. I hope you will take the opportunity to visit and experience firsthand why Artisan Bakery is one of our Food System Champions
