A beloved vendor at Findlay Market is closing permanently. Em’s Sourdough Bread announced on social media that Sunday was its last day in business.
Wanting to work from home and spend more time with her three children, Melissa Schroeder opened Em’s Bread in Dayton, Ohio, in 1993 using her mother’s sourdough starter. The business took off, and Em’s bread was sold from Dorothy Lane Market, Zink’s Meat, Hidden Valley Farm and upscale restaurants and delis in the Dayton area. After a few moves and career changes, Schroeder opened her stand at Findlay Market in May 2015.
Schroeder did not share a reason for the closure, but wrote on social media:
“After 8 years Em’s is closing. It was quite an adventure. I would like to thank our wonderful customers who brightened our day and were the reason that we were there. We will miss being a part of your holiday celebrations, your special dinners and seeing you on weekend mornings for breakfast Sammie’s! There are some wonderful bakeries in and around OTR so I know you will have great options. I would also like to thank all of the employees that came through the stand. We had artists, circus performers, musicians, mothers, fathers, students and drifters. They were the heart of Em’s and were what made Em’s so very special. Thank you to Findlay Market for giving Em’s the opportunity to be a small part of an iconic market in the heart of Cincinnati. Thank you to all of the vendors that helped us figure things out and were always there with a helping hand. And last but not least, Thank you to my wonderful family that put up with me following a dream and making it come true. Peace, Love, Bread. ~ Em”
Findlay Market also shared the news of the closure on its social media, writing, “We are incredibly sad to share that, as of today, Em’s Sourdough Bread is permanently closed. Em’s was a regular weekend stop for so many, and they will be deeply missed by our community.”
With Em’s closing, Findlay Market is opening its Request for Proposal process for a new tenant in Em’s former space (Stalls 116 and 118) in the Market House. Applications opened Monday and will close Sunday, Oct. 27.
Findlay Market says it’s looking for a year-round business that can operate Tuesday-Sunday during market hours, saying it prefers a locally owned business with a new and unique concept to the Market District without significant menu overlap of existing businesses. The new tenant will also be responsible for any additional tenant improvements.
Learn more about the application process and how to apply here.
This article appears in Oct 2, 2024 – Oct 15, 2043.