Charleston Bread – Charleston, WV
Dan says…
The title says it all. Once again I have been embarrassed by a Charleston, WV small business owner. My sister drove up from Texas on leave from the US Army to visit our family. We dropped the girls off at pre-school and went to see the new Indiana Jones movie. When we picked them up they were, as always HUNGRY. I thought, wouldn’t it be nice to stop by Charleston Bread and get a loaf of bread for breakfast and a snack for the children. So I found a parking space on Capitol Street, and checked the sandwich board for the days specials. Yes! Cinnamon & Raisin Bread – that will be perfect.
We walk in the door and the racks were bare. I’m greeted. I ask “Are you sold out of Cinnamon & Raisin Bread? She replies, ‘We are out off all our bread, but we have cookies and granola.” (More on that in a moment) She might as well of said, “No Bread for You!” What I can’t believe is that they are out of bread at 3:30 in the afternoon.
Here is the kicker, of the six or seven times I’ve visited Charleston Bread this is the forth time I’ve gone in and they are out of everything. It drives me crazy. Supply and demand works like this for me, if you can’t supply me the product then I won’t buy it at any price. Do they keep sales and production records? If you made 100 loafs on the third Friday of last month and ran out of bread then you need to make 120 next time. If early positive word of month got you production contracts with local restaurants, and production is maxed out then you need to run the oven 24 hours a day or buy a second oven (Yes, I know how much they cost). My point is your product needs to be available to sell regardless of quality,
Speaking of quality. The cookies and granola are not that good. I’ve asked around after tasting them for myself. I’ve heard great things about the chocolate croissant, though. The bread is good, and If you drop by and they are out just go to Panera.
(304) 720-3022
14 responses so far ↓
dave // May 24, 2008 at 10:46 am |
Just curious..What time did you go?
I’ve always gone after work at 5:15 and they’re always out of bread when I go. It’s really irritating. I’m glad that they’re busy, but my damn, I’ve yet to be able to try these supposed delicious breads!
Daniel // May 24, 2008 at 10:53 am |
It was around 3:30PM.
Something Unique in South Hills - south hills market and cafe « Fork You… // June 2, 2008 at 6:51 am |
[...] caramelized onions, and goat cheese. This is all placed inside of a toasted brioche roll from Charleston Bread. Please note that each topping is an additional 35 cents. They could include one in the base price, [...]
demosthenes.or.locke // June 6, 2008 at 10:58 pm |
Her business model is to lure you in with the incredible loaves of bread, which don’t make her that much money. They when you show up and they are out of bread, you buy a 2.95 cinnamon roll that isn’t even as good as donut connection.
D. Mae // July 18, 2008 at 10:21 pm |
I’ve known them to be out of bread as early as 2 p.m. The key to snaring a loaf is to learn which days they bake what you want and reserve it. They will hold it for you. Before a major holiday, they never have anything unless you reserve it.
Daniel // July 18, 2008 at 10:34 pm |
You say that like it is ok for her not to even try to meet demand. I say bake more bread. Thanks for the comment.
Allie // February 27, 2009 at 4:54 pm |
I agree Daniel! Bake more bread to meet demand! The first time I was there, I asked for the bread she sends to the Spicy Pineapple in Teays Valley, what I got was something completely different. The next time I went, they were out of bread. The third time, I wisened up and reserved a loaf for a holiday, even then it was like a clusterf**k trying to deal with all the people in there, and the staff trying to find my order. I have yet to go back.
Oliver // July 22, 2009 at 12:56 pm |
I think you are all a bunch of whiners. I have never been disappointed by Charleston Bread. If I thought I was going to be late I called ahead to reserve my order. The trail mix cookies are awesome and the cinnamon rolls are way better than donut connection. If you think that Panera is an adequate substitute for real artisan bread then leave the rest of us the good stuff at Charleston Bread.
Susan // July 23, 2009 at 11:19 pm |
I think people are suggesting that Charleston Bread should, simply stated, MAKE MORE BREAD. It’s good and demand is obviously surpassing supply.
I know the bread I’ve eaten at restaurants supplied by Charleston Bread Company has been delicious!
Tiozinho // August 4, 2009 at 5:56 pm |
I have been going there almost from day one. Yes, there are the occasions that they run out of what you want. But, I have never regretted the return trip. The staff are super friendly and the products are tasty. No more supermarket bread for me.
Dippity // November 5, 2009 at 9:46 pm |
Daniel,
There’s a reason that artisanal bakeries run out of product at 3:30pm or thereafter. The items they sell are perishable, and won’t be sellable after 5:00pm that day.
What business do you know that, with little sales history to draw upon, will risk throwing away a lot of inventory so that you and your relatives are never inconvenienced?
No educated foodie should expect a bakery to risk its cost-of-goods-sold for the sake of one or 2 customers who only buy on impulse in the middle of the afternoon. They can’t just throw whatever doesn’t sell into the dumpster so that you are never inconvenienced.
Do you encounter the same “thoughtless” behavior when you decide to Christmas shop on 12/24? How dare they run out of what you had your heart set on?
If you want baked goods that are not mass-produced and which are sold the same day they’re made, then make the necessary adjustments to your lifestyle and get there earlier. And (speaking for the other people in your life who’ve likely had enough of your self-obsessed behavior) — get over yourself.
Ron // November 6, 2009 at 8:57 am |
Dippity….
you raise a very good point. However, at the end of the day.. I am the consumer.. and if I want my bread at 5PM, then that’s when I expect it.
Since when is the customer expected to adjust thier schedule? What the hell is this some bizzar twist on the Soup Nazi episode of Sienfield.
Sorry, but for me personally, I won’t be getting over myself anytime soon.
royman // November 6, 2009 at 4:09 pm |
I worked in food service for years and I know you can run out sometimes , If I was out of something it was because I tried krogers, sams, wallmart, any place just to have product this place is so stupid 3 poeple standing around one needs to get some petty cash and head out to the store . Why the hell even open if you dont any product, go to krogers or sams club and buy some dough for christ sakes , everyone just there for a pay check
Chris // November 13, 2009 at 1:32 pm |
I have bought bread there for years. All you have to do is call and reserve whatever you want and pick it up after work. It’s not rocket science.