Longtime Lexington bakers ‘hanging up aprons’ on Christmas Eve. What about the bread?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Jim and Francine Betts will retire on Christmas Eve 2025 after 35 years.
- Bluegrass Baking will remain open under new ownership; transfer details pending.
- Bakery built reputation for artisanal loaves, 100-year yeast starter and collaborations.
Longtime Lexington bakers known for making some of the best bread in Kentucky are “hanging up our aprons.”
Jim and Francine Betts, owners of Bluegrass Baking Company on Clays Mill Road, announced on social media they will be retiring after 35 “incredible years” this Christmas Eve.
The bakery itself isn’t going anywhere. Jim Betts said Tuesday new owners will be taking over and the bakery will remain open.
He said they are nailing down final details and the new owners will be announced soon.
Betts said he will miss the customer interactions as much as baking, but is looking forward to sleeping in.
“What we will miss most is the chance to meet up with Lexington on a daily basis,” he said.
Bluegrass has long focused on artisanal bread, which wasn’t even a thing when they started. It’s always been made fresh, from the same 100-year-old yeast starter, Jim Betts said.
“This to me was the way bread should be. It looks good, it feels good, it tastes good, it has structure and substance to it,” Betts said. “It is not just a vehicle to get the fillings to your face. It’s an ingredient of itself. It’s a component that is critical. It has backbone.”
Betts and Bluegrass Baking also collaborated with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food & the Environment on testing wheat varieties for Kentucky farmers.
“To our amazing customers — you’ve given us more than we could ever ask for. Your smiles, your stories, and your support have filled our little bakery with a lifetime of memories,” a Monday Instagram post reads. “From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank you for all of these wonderful years you’ve shared with us. We feel so lucky to be retiring with full hearts and endless gratitude.
“Here’s to every early morning, every crusty loaf, and every moment we’ve shared. We couldn’t have done this without you!”
The bakery was named the best bread in Kentucky by Food & Wine magazine in 2022, but it makes everything from boules, baguettes and focaccia, to challah and pastries.
But no doughnuts: It’s always been about the bread for them.
In a 2022 interview, Jim Betts said in the Food & Wine honor was a surprise, but one he welcomed as the bakery needed to revive sales after two years of COVID difficulties depleted their wholesale business with restaurants. Before the pandemic, the bread was served in some of the top dining spots in and around Lexington.
One of the first comments on the post announcing their retirement was from James Beard nominee Ouita Michel, who said, “Jim and Francine- so much love in every thing you make and every thing you do!! Congratulations.”
Bluegrass Baking Company
Where: 3101 Clays Mill Road, No. 108
Hours: Tuesday through Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday
Phone: 859-296-0581
This story was originally published December 2, 2025 at 11:50 AM.
