Black Bear Bread Co. Celebrates 10 Years: From a Farmers Market Table to a 30A Tradition

A milestone ten years in the making, Black Bear Bread Co. is celebrating a decade of artisan baking in 2026.

The journey began when Dave Rauschkolb and Chef Phil McDonald set up a modest folding table at a local farmers market, armed with just a few loaves of naturally leavened sourdough. What started as a simple weekend pop-up in Grayton Beach has blossomed into a cherished 30A staple, serving as a morning ritual for locals and a must-visit destination for beachgoers year after year.

The bakery's quirky name originated shortly after its humble beginnings, when local bears managed to raid a dumpster filled with test bread outside the founders' initial kitchen. Black Bear Bread Co. was the obvious choice. Since mixing that very first batch, the team has meticulously hand-fed the exact same sourdough starter every single day for a decade.

It didn't take long for their passionate following to outgrow the market stand. Black Bear Bread Co. opened its flagship brick-and-mortar spot in The Shops of Grayton in 2017. By 2019, they expanded next door with the Bar Room—a cozy venue featuring wine-driven snacks, charcuterie, craft beer, and private event space. The brand grew again in 2021 with a second bakery at Central Square in Seaside, which is currently celebrating its own five-year milestone.

Through every expansion, the café has held fast to its scratch-made, farm-to-table ethos. Paired with freshly brewed Stumptown coffee, the menu revolves around seasonal ingredients, thoughtfully sourcing flour, salt, seafood, and produce from trusted local partners.

"We started with a folding table at the farmers market and enough bread for a few dozen people," said co-founder Dave Rauschkolb. "Ten years later, we're still using that same starter, and somehow it's turned into two cafes and the Bar Room. Some days it's hard to believe how far it's come."

Rauschkolb expressed deep appreciation for the team and the surrounding beach communities. "I'm grateful every day to our staff, past and present, whose care shows up in every loaf and every cup of coffee," he added. "And I'm grateful to the Grayton Beach and Seaside communities that welcomed us in from the beginning and have kept coming back for a decade."

Southern Living, SoWal.com and VIE Magazine have all featured Black Bear Bread Co. over the years, and the café has received recognition from Thirty A Review, Emerald Coast Magazine's Best of Emerald Coast Awards, Visit South Walton's Perfect in South Walton Awards and Florida Trend's Golden Spoon Awards.

Both the Grayton Beach and Seaside locations remain open daily for breakfast, lunch, and fresh pastries. For menus and store hours, visit www.blackbearbreadco.com or call (850) 213-4528.