Five Points Flourishes

queenseyes 10

Regarding the status of Five Points Bakery's soft opening this past Saturday, I must say that the massive community support has been nothing short of overwhelming. We stopped in for a loaf of bread on opening day (photo) and learned that they had sold out 50 loaves in an hour and a half. Then, after working through the night to prepare for Sunday sales, they still could not keep up with demand and sold out again (another 50 loaves). Needless to say, the bakery has become an overnight sensation (see original post).

Five Points is now considering adding more walk-in hours to the work week. Of course the demand has already warranted that the baking hours be increased dramatically. And with the Farmers' Market season quickly approaching, the workers are preparing for an even steeper learning curve. "The response has been incredible," Co-owner Melissa Gardner told me. "I think that the biggest surprise is that I didn't expect the bakery to become a destination for a cup of coffee." Many of my friends have already stopped in to pick up gourmet pizzas, scones, muffins, coffee, and yes, bread. Unfortunately I have missed out on the bread each time I have stopped in, which means that I'm going to have to schedule my trips earlier in the day - or maybe Kevin Cain, the baker, can hold one for me... is that cheating?

Five Points Bakery
426 Rhode Island St
Buffalo, NY 14213
716-884-8888

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Comments

10 Comments Leave a comment

Kimon

April 29, 2009 6:49 PM

Huzzah! I hope this keeps up... good to hear that people are excited about the new business.

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queenie

April 29, 2009 6:53 PM

The problem with places like this is that they are too good for the stupid business model that succeeds in this country.

Start-up, high-quality-product businesses like this are everywhere, in vibrant cities as well as the dying ones. At first, talk of the product has everyone going there. For a while the cognoscenti tolerate the lines, but then find themselves way too important to have to have to wait (for anything). Unfortunately, the owners didn't conceive of the demand; cannot keep up the pace for long; eventually sell out to something much blander and routine and better-capitalized. And you have another product with a unique label, but no real distinction.

April 30, 2009 12:24 AM

It opened 5 days ago... a little early to be predicting its inevitable failure?

replied to queenie

MRodgers

April 29, 2009 8:41 PM

Excellent loaf, my new friends! And, the cowboy cookies weren't bad either. Waiting for Saturday morning and my next visit. Thank you for taking the chance on a new Buffalo.

RhodeIslandBoy2

April 29, 2009 9:11 PM

The boule was perfect with dinner and the honey wheat makes fantastic toast and French toast, too. I will be in line again on Saturday, also.

Perry

April 30, 2009 7:59 AM

That's great to hear...need to get my butt over there.

al labruna

April 30, 2009 8:00 AM

I hope these guys make a lot of dough . . . ahem.

Sean Brodfuehrer

April 30, 2009 8:26 AM

Also tried to buy a loaf and wasn't successful. :( I will have to keep tabs and try again.

ToTheTable

April 30, 2009 11:12 AM

Hello from Five Points,
We bake bread on Thursday Friday and Saturday, and will have it out around 10am. First come, first served. You can also join our share program to reserve your bread for up to a year at a time, which has limited availibility as well.
In response to quennie, we have a family that we love and do not intend to work the long hours to satisy the huge demand for our products. We make enough to provide for ourselves and our staff, and that is that. We will not comprimise our product, our values, or free time for anyone no matter how much money we could make. Anyone who knows us will attest to that.
We hope that if people see the demand, they will open similar small businesses of their own. As for our customers, I suggest they get here early for bread, or join the share program, before it is sold out.
And to everyone who has supported us, Thank you.
Our hours currently, are:
Tuesday and Wednesday 8-3
Thursday through Saturday 8-6
Sunday 10-2

jboody1980

April 30, 2009 10:34 PM

I think it is fantastic to finally see a new type of business style being set forth in the West Side of Buffalo. People in this neighborhood have been craving for a newer sense of style and taste and this sure sounds like a hit. I personally haven't had the opportunity to stop in and check it our for myself but I will make a point to do so this weekend. Good luck to you and I will spread the word around! This is great!!!