Help Bramble Open Our Storefront!
The Move
After more than three years of growing as a pop-up and special order bakery, we have finally found a space to call home at 5414 Harford Road in Northeast Baltimore, MD.
The space is a dream in a lot of ways. We are inheriting an established community bakery, first opened as Hamilton Bakery in 2010, and then more recently as Batch Bake Shop. The kitchen is equipped with much of what we need to increase our output, the front windows allow for plenty of light in what will become a seating and workshop space, and it's located on the main street of the Hamilton-Lauraville neighborhood. We're so excited to call it home and to have new room to grow.
Another perk: we will still see you at a spot that has become near and dear to us vending each Saturday at the 32nd Street Farmer's Market. 
Our Vision
I founded Bramble Baking Co. in 2017 as a *very* small, seasonal pie-centric pop-up. Now we have a constantly rotating menu that is still seasonally-driven, but has come to include cakes, pies, pastries, and cookies. Our team has also grown to include two other bakers and a farmer's market crew, all of whom have helped Bramble's menu and ethos evolve in countless ways. Together, we are working on building a workplace rooted in cooperative decision making, a deep respect of each other's work, and reallocating earnings to community-led efforts whenever we are able.
Putting these values first means challenging traditional profit-driven business practices, and while we will always have continual room to learn and grown on this front, having our own space to build a business that priorities the well-being of people over profit is the next logical step for us. While we are still doing the work of dreaming of all the possibilities of this space, some of our priorities include:
- Intentional sourcing that continues to put money back into local farms and the local economy, and is mindful of issues of sustainability
- Fair and living wages for our team, and continual work on how we provide holistically for our staff
- Expanding our recycling and composting capabilities, and continuing to develop creative ideas to preserve more and mitigate food waste
- Accessible education offerings in the form of sliding scale workshops
What We Need
We are aiming to move in the early spring (March-April) and will begin working to renovate the cafe area shortly after. We are incredibly fortunate to be moving into a space that operated recently as a bakery, but these funds will be invaluable to us as we invest in a few key kitchen items to keep our production going and our team paid throughout the transition. We will be using the funds to move and service some of our key equipment, square away licensing processing and fees, and begin much of the DIY work we will be doing to make the space as welcoming as possible.
Thanks so very much for your time and consideration. It means the world.
With endless gratitude and butter,
Allie Smith
(baker/owner)
P.S. Incentives! We would love to thank you for your contribution and investment in our growth.
$5 or more: Our heartfelt gratitude! Every little bit is helpful and encouraging.
$15 or more: A thank-you postcard featuring a Bramble design by Baltimore-based artist, Kelci Tillman.
$25 or more: A slice or a treat for you and a friend. This one is all about looking forward to when we can safely gather and catch up with a pal over a slice of cake or pie. Get a voucher for two treats on us for when we are open for pickup or (in the more distant future) sit down snacking.
$50 or more: A Bramble campfire mug filled with our egg yolk chocolate chip cookies, plus a voucher for two treats on us for when we are open for pickup or (in the more distant future) sit down snacking.
$100 or more: A bundle of Bramble! A Bramble tote or short-sleeved shirt, a Bramble campfire mug filled with our egg yolk chocolate chip cookies, plus a voucher for two treats on us for when we are open for pickup or (in the more distant future) sit down snacking.
$150 or more: A ticket to a Bramble workshop. Our cake and cookie decorating workshops are a fun and laid-back way to explore different approaches to botanical baked goods, PLUS we'll be adding more workshops in the new space for you to choose from. You can expect to leave with plenty of treats, and have plenty to snack on while you work, too.
$500 or more: The year in Bramble. Are you VERY into Bramble treats? Set yourself up for a whole year with a voucher for a free slice of pie, cake, or a pastry every week for twelve months. Choose to start when we open for pickup, or when you can sit down and enjoy your treats on site!
$1,000 or more: A private cake decorating workshop for you and up to seven pals. We'll find an afternoon or evening once it's safe to gather, and will host you at Bramble HQ for a cake decorating workshop focused on our signature use of natural dyes, edible flowers, and herbs. Everyone will leave with a Bramble tote filled with some cake decorating tools.
Other Ways You Can Help
Even sharing our campaign and how much you love your Bramble treats is a huge help. Tell your friends! Share on Instagram! It is all so, so appreciated. If you're Baltimore-based and have a lead on cafe or bakery equipment or materials we might be interested in, please feel free to reach out and we might be able to incorporate it as we renovate! 