The Bakehouse Expands: A Spot to Linger With a Croissant and Coffee
Visiting The Bakehouse in the Old Litchfield Jail has long been a favored ritual, and most devotees shared a similar choreography: secure parking, sweep in with the anticipation of scoring delicious breads, croissants, and other scratch-baked goods—and then immediately hit the road with your bounty.
There was always a small group of Bakehouse fans who deepened the experience by also ordering a coffee, latte, or specialty tea and lingering at one of the two tiny tables inside or—in warm weather—at one of the tables on the stone patio. Watching Litchfield center move while you sat still was an entirely different experience, though one generally enjoyed only by outliers.
Now, with The Bakehouse expanding into the former Discerning Palate space next door to create an airier environment with a welcoming row of tables, the linger-and-enjoy experience is officially the vibe. The Bakehouse is no longer just a grab-and-go stop; it’s a destination.
What You’ll Find at The Bakehouse
Artisanal Breads & Pastries: Jeremy McKendry turns out classical French baguettes and other artisan breads, including sourdough, focaccia, challah, rye, and their signature Speralonga (a ciabatta-style bread).- Sweet Selections: Allison Varian’s pastry cases are regularly stocked with meticulously laminated croissants, pain au chocolat, seasonal pies, tarts, cookies, muffins, cupcakes, and cakes.
- Dietary Accommodations: Drawing from the founders’ diverse backgrounds, the menu frequently incorporates high-quality gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives, such as their popular almond cookies.
- Beverages: To complement the baked goods, The Bakehouse serves locally roasted coffees, espressos, and specialty teas. While a perfect Americano, latte, or premium hot tea sometimes seemed overlooked in the grab-and-go era, they can now take center stage alongside the baked goods. The exceptional coffee program features organic, small-batch beans proudly sourced from Sacred Grounds Coffee Roasters in nearby Sherman, CT.
Why the Space is Special and Historic
A major element of the bakery’s identity is its unique home inside a historic jail built to house prisoners from the War of 1812. Following a comprehensive adaptive-reuse renovation of the jailhouse, the complex was transformed into a vibrant commercial hub with tenants including Market Place Tavern upstairs. The bakery playfully leans into this past, utilizing what was once a solitary confinement cell as its dedicated flour storage room.
Origins & Ownership
The bakery was founded by Jeremy McKendry and Allison Varian, who opened its doors in May 2018. They met while working at a Whole Foods Market in Yonkers, N.Y., where Jeremy served as the head bread baker and Allison worked as a professional pastry and cake decorator.
Before launching their independent venture, both honed their crafts at premier culinary institutions and bakeries: Jeremy studied international bread baking at the International Culinary Center (formerly the French Culinary Institute) and baked for Eataly NY, while Allison worked as a head decorator at the gluten-free By the Way Bakery in Hastings-on-Hudson, where Jeremy later joined her as head baker.
