New Bread Bakery Approved By Farmington PZC

FARMINGTON, CT — Locals have a new way to indulge in the soft, chewy goodness of home-baked sourdough bread following action from the Farmington zoning board this week.

The Farmington Plan and Zoning Commission unanimously voted Monday, May 12, in favor of a special permit for a local couple to operate a home cottage bakery operation specializing in gourmet, locally baked sourdough bread.

Hence, the birth of "The Barking Beagle Breadworks," which is based at 19 Ridgeview Drive, Farmington.

The owners — David St. Germain and Kathleen Becker-St. Germain — have a Connecticut cottage bakery license, and the permit approved by the PZC will now allow them to sell their pre-ordered bread to be picked up at a farm stand.

The operation also fills orders online and even conducts bread-baking classes at their home.

Because David St. Germain is a member of the PZC, he did not attend Monday's meeting to avoid deliberating and acting on his application.

Speaking on behalf of her husband, Kathleen Becker-St. Germain was on hand to present the project to the PZC at a public hearing Monday, which drew no public comments.

She said their property can accommodate up to seven vehicles comfortably and their ovens can bake up to 20 loaves at a time, so traffic is expected to be minimal as will customer flow due to a small baking capacity.

Becker-St. Germain said the operation will have no exterior signage, and any visitors to the location would be by appointment, either to pick up pre-arranged bread orders or to take the class.

It will not be a drop-in bakery store where anyone can stop by and purchase bread.

According to The Barking Beagle Breadworks' website, the operation specializes in "small batch, hand-made, sourdough breads using all organic flours."

"My husband, Dave, has been baking for almost 40 years and, in planning for retirement, is exploring things to keep him out of trouble in his free time," Becker-St. Germain said, chuckling, before the PZC Monday.

Farmington PZC Chairman Scott Halstead closed the hearing before the commission vote, which was easily approved with no deliberations.

For more information on The Barking Beagle Breadworks, click on this link.

For the minutes of the May 12 Farmington PZC meeting, click on this link.