Kath to open ‘Bakehouse’ in downtown Medford

Kath Gardens, a micro-bakery and farm stand in Medford, has seen growing success in the past four years.

So much success, and so much growth, in fact, that Jennifer Kath’s “side hustle” will have a new home: A storefront in downtown Medford, to be named Main Street Bakehouse.

The new business received unanimous support at the August city council meeting, when members approved an EDA loan of up to $40,000 for the project.

Kath, who will be joined in the venture by Jeff and Nola Karow, will operate out of a rented space at 223 N. Main St.

The 750-square-foot bakery will have a production area/commercial kitchen, retail space and customer service area.

The food will be take-out; during the summer, limited seating will be available on the sidewalk in front of the business.

The transition, Kath said, “will fundamentally change downtown Medford into a place where people can stop for a quick breakfast and coffee, grab a loaf of bread, or enjoy an ice cream cone while walking home from the pool.”

It will feature a daily menu of fresh pastries and hot breakfast or lunch items, with a variety of cinnamon rolls, scones, danishes, cookies, bars and croissants.

The breakfast menu will include a selection of sandwiches and breakfast bowls; lunch will include fresh-baked pizzas and sandwiches.

Like the farm stand, the retail section of the bakery will have a weekly rotation of sourdough bread, focaccia and sandwich bread, as well as a display freezer for frozen pizzas.

Kath expects the retail side to comprise about half of the sales, especially around holidays.

In addition to the bakery items, she will offer jams/jellies, assorted pickles, fresh produce and frozen soups.

Kath has more than 15 years of food service experience, she told the council, including a bachelor’s degree in dietetics with a focus in food service management and clinical nutrition. She spent five years as the director of food and nutrition services for two nursing homes, and has also spent the past five years training, testing and developing the artisan breads, pastries and pizza products for the farm stand.

Kath plans to hire two full-time employees and three or four part-time employees; proposed hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

The EDA reviewed the business plan, said councilor Amanda Mueller, and suggested an interest rate of 2 to 2.5% for 20 years.

The funds will be used for plumbing, electrical and construction work, as well as equipment purchases.

Work can begin once all of the paperwork and permits have been approved at the state level, Kath said, as she keeps an eye toward the future.

She plans to accept wholesale orders from local businesses, and to offer an expanded beverage menu of smoothies, espresso drinks and milkshakes.

Next summer, Kath said, the bakery would like to host pizza and ice cream nights in the back parking lot of the bakery. The events will be centered around celebration events in Medford for local residents.

It was smiles all around the council table after the loan was approved, with a 2% interest rate.

“You’re in business,” Mayor Danny Thomas said.