Root Baking Co. is shuttering after operating for three years at Ponce City Market, and seven years in business. The Southern bakery will officially close on Sunday, April 3, as announced in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
Husband and wife duo Chris Wilkins and Nicole Lewis opened the bakery seven years ago in Charleston, South Carolina, where they began baking and selling goods out of an old fireworks stand.
In September 2018, the couple relocated their business to the second floor of Ponce City Market’s Central Food Hall. There, Root Bakery Co. became an essential go-to source for bread, pastries, and sandwiches, also providing baked goods to several Atlanta restaurants, as reported by Eater.
“Nearly 7 years later, we’ve moved, grown, survived Covid, and have all the while remained committed to our mission to be a Southern Bakery,” Root Baking Co. said on Instagram. “Along the way, we have been incredibly fortunate to work with some of Atlanta’s most inspiring chefs and artisans, and we are proud to have shared in the time and talent of a staff of bakers, chefs, cooks, dishwashers, bartenders, baristas, and delivery drivers who made us who we are.”
Wilkins and Lewis will shift their attention to Pizza Jeans, a pizzeria they opened in 2020 that took over the bakery’s cafe space. The Instagram post also stated that “there is big news for Pizza Jeans on the horizon,” but did not provide further details.
Wilkins — named a James Beard award semifinalist for outstanding baker in 2019 and 2020 — told Eater that he will continue to be a baking consultant to Atlanta chefs who seek his expertise.
One Response
Chris Wilkins doesn’t need to own anything anyways. Bad boss. He berates his front of house employees and fires at will basically.