Since 1993, Companion has provided St. Louis residents, groceries and restaurants with artisan breads and pastries. Owner Josh Allen started out in a small, 1,800-square-foot kitchen and with only one oven, began producing high-end European bread. At first, Allen offered six different breads to choose from. Local restaurants and specialty stores recognized quality of the bread and began placing orders with Companion. Just two years after opening, St. Louis groceries Schnucks and Dierbergs started selling Companion baked goods. In 2007, USA Today named Companion one of the “Top 10 Artisan Bakeries” in the country.
Allen said he is thrilled to see his vision grow and become such an integral part of the St. Louis food scene. “We didn’t even know if we were going to make it six months,” Allen said. Since its humble beginnings, Companion has seen some big changes. The factory has expanded to 15,000 square feet, and Companion now has multiple locations and an ever-growing product line.
Some of Allen’s most enduring memories from the past 20 years come from “the continual support of the community.” To show its appreciation for the neighborhoods who support the bakery, Companion is hosting a 20th anniversary open house Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its factory at 4555 Gustine Ave. Festivities include family entertainment, bakery tours, children’s decorating stations, raffles, chef demonstrations, samples from other St. Louis micro-producers, and of course, lots of Companion bread and pastries. The open house is more than a celebratory shindig; it will also benefit the St. Louis Area Foodbank.
This article appears in October 2013.