Burlington bakery to close after nearly five years in business

A bakery that opened in Burlington’s Old North End nearly five years ago announced it will close after Wednesday.

Knead Bakery, a plant-based bakery and cafe, started in January 2018 at 294 N. Winooski Ave. Open for breakfast and lunch and run by Rob Blum, the business serves sandwiches and salads with artisan bread and dairy-free cultured cheeses made with cashews or pine nuts, vegetable oil and spices.

“After much thought and difficult consideration, we are pleased to announce that Knead will be closing our doors for good next Thursday, September 8th.^th” the business posted on its Instagram account and website on Thursday. The last day of business will be Wednesday.

“We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve you over the past 5 years and for the amazing people who have worked with us and made it possible,” according to the message. “It’s been quite a journey and we feel so blessed to have been a part of this community through the ups and downs. As we step away to focus more on our growing family, we’ll hold on tight to everyone the amazing times, the friendships and the things we’ve learned with Knead.”

Knead has been part of the slow but steady growth of vegan and vegetarian options in northern Vermont in recent years. The bakery followed restaurants like Revolution Kitchen and Pingala Café into Burlington’s vegan/vegetarian scene. Pingala this summer added a second restaurant, in Burlington’s New North End. Further afield, the deli and bakery Nourish de St. Albans, which opened its doors last year, offers plant-based foods.