Athens Bread Company: Where Every Loaf Tells a Story

Photo from https://www.athensbreadcompany.com

In the heart of Athens, Ohio—where Appalachian hills meet a town bursting with creativity and grit—there’s a bakery that’s doing more than baking bread. It’s building connection, one handmade loaf at a time. Athens Bread Company is a small-town standout where tradition, craftsmanship, and local pride rise together.

From wild yeast to hand-shaped dough, they’ve turned bread into an art form. That’s why we’re proud to spotlight them on Small Town Wow—because when passion meets purpose, even a humble loaf can become a community cornerstone.

Photo from https://www.athensbreadcompany.com

Athens, Ohio: A Town That Feeds the Soul

Home to Ohio University, it blends academic buzz with Appalachian grit. The local food scene is legendary—farmers markets, co-ops, and independent eateries thrive here. It’s a place where people know their bakers by name, and where bread is more than food—it’s a shared experience.

Meet Tim McKenna: From Butcher to Baker -# We love his story!

Athens Bread Company is proudly owned and operated by Tim McKenna, a passionate bread baker with a deep respect for the craft. Tim’s journey to the oven wasn’t a straight line. He began his culinary career as a butcher at New York City’s Hudson & Charles, where his handmade sausages even earned a nod from The New Yorker. But it was at Brooklyn’s beloved Saraghina Bakery that Tim found his true calling: bread.

When the pandemic hit, Tim returned to his alma mater town of Athens, Ohio. He joined Athens Bread Company in 2020, starting at the front counter. His talent and dedication quickly rose to the surface—he became head baker, and in 2021, took over the business from founder Doug Wistendahl, a former New York City lawyer who opened the bakery in 2014 to bring his passion for old-world baking to his hometown.

Today, Tim leads with flour-dusted hands and a full heart. If you’ve visited the bakery, you’ve likely seen him shaping loaves in the back or chatting with customers up front.

What’s Baking at Athens Bread Company?

Every item at Athens Bread Company is made by hand—from mixing and shaping to sprinkling and slicing. Their menu is a celebration of time-honored techniques, local ingredients, and the belief that baking is both art and science.

Daily Breads

• Country Loaf – A rustic sourdough made with organic flours and wild yeast.

• Seedy – Packed with cracked rye, sesame, sunflower, and flax seeds.

• Cranberry Almond – A sweet-tart sourdough favorite.

• Ciabatta & Olive Ciabatta – Italian-style loaves with a chewy crumb.

• Focaccia – Spongy, savory, and topped with seasonal herbs or veggies.

Specialty Breads (Rotating by Day)

• Spelt (Mon) – Ancient grain sourdough with local honey.

• Toscano (Tues) – A salt-free Tuscan loaf enriched with olive oil.

• Danish Rye (Wed) – Dense, fermented rye with seeds and oats.

• Miche (Thurs) – A massive rustic loaf made from Ohio-grown wheat.

• Challah (Fri) – Soft, braided bread made with local eggs and milk.

Pastries & Sweets

• Croissants – Classic, almond, and chocolate.

• Cookies – Trail mix, white chocolate pecan, and chocolate chip.

• Olive Oil Cake – Bright with citrus and a hint of brandy.

• Apple Turnovers & Brownies – Flaky, fudgy, and unforgettable.

Pantry & Merch

• Local honey from Honeyrun Farm

• Di Alfredo oils and vinegars

• Bee’s Wraps for sustainable food storage

• Athens Bread Company T-shirts and stickers

Explore the full menu here.

A Bakery with a Bigger Mission

Tim’s philosophy is simple: use the best local ingredients, honor the craft, and make good bread accessible. The bakery donates unsold goods to local food programs and is working to accept EBT, ensuring everyone in the community can enjoy wholesome, handmade bread.

What other places to visit, when in Athens ? >>>> https://athensohio.com/