This European style bakery has drawn the attention of Frankfort’s Capitol crowd

Can a city with a population of 27,863 support three high-profile bakeries? Andrew and Tara Bissell are betting that it can and so far, their faith has been justified.

When the Bissells opened Andy’s Artisan Bread just a hop, skip and jump from the State Capitol Building and Governor’s Mansion in January of this year, Frankfort already had two high profile emporiums – B’s Bakery and Poppy’s Bakery.

Both had established customer bases and in the case of B’s, had garnered national attention. Could Frankfort’s population have enough sweet teeth to accommodate a third?

The answer from Frankfort residents is a resounding “yes.”

“We are a bit different from the other two bakeries in town,” explains Andy, describing his place as “more a European-style bakery than a Southern-style sweet shop.”

The Bissells said they respect their fellow Frankfort bakers and feel there is room for all to do their own specialties.

Andy’s Artisan Bread focuses on sourdough and other breads, croissants, muffins, scones and savory pastries, biscuits, granola and more all made from scratch on site.

The shop, housed in a former grocery store on the corner of South Frankfort’s Todd and Logan Streets that dates back to 1907, already has a loyal following – including Gov. Andy Beshear.

“As we are extremely close to the Executive Mansion, Governor Beshear likes to stop in for coffee while walking his dog, and to see what we might have that day,” says Bissell. “He’s a great supporter of local businesses.”

While Beshear has tried several of the bakery’s products, according to Bissell, “his favorite is the ham and cheese croissant.”

Apparently, Andy’s Artisan Bread receives bi-partisan kudos as “we also see a lot of legislators. In fact, the whole neighborhood has been incredibly supportive.”

Bissell says his bakery follows the European tradition where all products are made on-site from scratch by actual artisans using carefully sourced ingredients.

“The baker’s hands are always on the product throughout the entire process,” he explains.

The Bissells each have their own specialties. Andy focuses on the breads, croissants and Danishes, while Tara specializes in cookies, granola, muffins, scones and cakes.

That makes for quite an extensive offering of bakery products. On the savory side, there are not just ham and cheese pastries, but spinach and feta pastries, biscuit sandwiches with eggs, cheese and meat, a variety of breads – even options for vegetarians and those who eat gluten-free such as a veggie souffle.

On the sweet side are cookies, Danishes, and both plain and chocolate croissants. Perhaps the biggest draw in the sweets department is their Morning Bun, which according to Bissell is a croissant pastry rolled like a cinnamon bun with orange zest and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.

“People come in just for that,” he said , “and for our Honey Bee Latte made with local honey and cinnamon and served hot or iced.”

With Andy’s Artisan Bread joining B’s Bakery and Poppy’s Bakery, Frankfort is fast gaining a reputation as Central Kentucky’s “sweetest” city.

Andy’s Artisan Bread

Where: 127 E. Todd St., Frankfort. They are also sell their goods at the Frankfort Farmers’ Market on Saturdays at the River View Pavilion on the Kentucky River.

Hours: Wednesday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Saturday – 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Call: 859-202-0076

Online: andysartisanbread.com

This story was originally published August 22, 2022 at 6:00 AM.