When the Great Harvest Bread Company in Manchester burned down in 2013, the owners weren’t sure they would rebuild. They had just paid off the loan on a franchise they'd been operating for a decade.
If the lines on opening day on Friday at the new location on Talcottville Road in Vernon were any indication, they made the right decision to reopen.
“We’ve been waiting for them to open. We love their bread," said Karen Aspinwall, of Manchester, who brought three generations to the bakery for opening day. “We’re breaking her in early on the Great Harvest bread,” she said, pointing to her granddaughter in a stroller.
It was encouragement from their customers that attracted Jean and Dale Roberts to the idea of reopening in the first place.
“We’re very excited and happy to be here,” Jean said, fighting back tears as she saw the line of customers.
While it would mean starting from scratch, at least they knew they wouldn’t have to build the customer side of their business back up, as their contractors pointed out.
“They said that people were knocking on the door, banging on the door. ‘When are they gonna get going again?’,” recalled Jean.
Robert Goric, of Ellington, was one of those customers.
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“I have been waiting for this store to open since the fire. We are long-time customers,” Goric said.
On day one, new customers were coming in the door as well.
“I’ve been driving by, seeing the sign here that says that this store is coming, so I’ve been very curious to learn about the bread,” Larry St. John, of South Windsor, said.
“It really feels good. A lot of our favorite friends that have been true customers for 10 years, they’re back, and a lot of new customers,” Jean said.
Known for their freshly milled wheat, with a new store come new menu items, like sandwiches, and old favorites they hope to be serving up for generations to come.
The new location is at 425 Talcottville Road in Vernon.
