The Baker Next Door

Neighbors Jenna and Brian started The Baker Next Door to share their passion for producing high quality, expertly crafted artisanal bread, pastries and coffee and to provide a community-oriented, warm, cozy space for friends to have a bite to eat, a coffee and a nice chat.

Brian’s passion for baking took root when he tasted Acme Bread’s iconic Pain au Levain in the mid-80’s while studying Chemistry at Cal, which has grown like a weed since that time being fueled by teachings from books by Tartine Bakery’s Liz Pruitt and Chad Robertson. Brian baked naturally leavened breads in his home oven for many years, sharing them with neighbors while working his full-time job as an attorney. In 2017 he built a small commercial bakery in his garage, where he sold at a local farmer’s market.

Jenna, her husband and growing family moved next door to Brian and his family in 2014 and were recipients of Brian’s bread and of babysitting from Brian’s daughter (the real connector), who informed Jenna (without Brian’s prompting) of his interest in starting a bakery but his need for someone with restaurant management experience. Jenna, also a Cal grad, worked in a Brooklyn bakery and cafe, and multiple front of house positions from host to food runner to server and manager here in San Francisco for many years. In mid-2022 Jenna reached out to begin the discussions about starting this new venture, The Baker Next Door.

We completed plans (finally) and construction started in January 2024. We are both very determined to bring to reality our vision for a community bakery/café in downtown Redwood City, where people from all walks have a place to enjoy expertly made old-world breads, pastries, sandwiches and coffee in a cozy atmosphere where all the food is hand crafted on-site and served by dedicated, skilled and passionate bakers and hospitality teams.

Stated Succinctly: TBND creates kick-ass products to serve in a really cool setting and treats customers and fellow team members with the highest degree of respect and consideration.