Love of baking rises at St. Charles Breadsmith

ST. CHARLES - Tiffany and Jonathan Klopp both knew they eventually wanted to own their own business. Jonathan Klopp worked for Jimmy John’s Franchise LLC as a franchise consultant in Wisconsin for 15 years and taught franchisees how to run their own business.

“Jonathan learned the ins-and-outs of how to run and own your own business — as well as how difficult it is,” Tiffany Klopp said. “We just knew we had to find a business we both wanted to pour our heart and soul into each and every day.”

Meanwhile, Tiffany Klopp was running the family meal program at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wis. She received a grant from Northwestern Mutual to buy health foods to be able to supply convenient, grab-and-go meals for the family, and she started a Kids Can Cook program that taught the kids how to juice, and make healthy pizza and fresh pasta. Through her healthy eating program, she brought Breadsmith on as a sponsor, got to know the company and fell in love with it’s high-quality products, according to Klopp.

“On the side I was also taking baking classes and falling in love with the concept of baking everything from pastries to breads,” Tiffany Klopp said. “Then last summer I turned to Jonathan and said I think I’d like to own one of the Breadsmith stores.”

After the realization they found their perfect business, the Klopps both quit their jobs and began their franchise training at Breadsmith. At first they thought they were going to open a store in Wisconsin, but Breadsmith then had two stores become available in the Chicago area that needed help. The Klopps quickly became the owners of the Skokie and St. Charles Breadsmith stores.

Their two locations are focused on bread and don’t sell pastries like some may think.

“Breadsmith is really a bread-focused company,” Tiffany Klopp said. “Baking breads and pastries not only take different skills, but different ovens as well. We make and sell lots of traditional breads, dessert breads, brownies, scones, cookies and muffins.”

Today, their Skokie location bakes the bread and their St. Charles location, 121 N. 2nd Street, St. Charles, is retail only. The Klopps sell about 5,000 to 6,000 loaves of bread a week, which includes sales from their two stores and their wholesale locations as well.

“We are very excited to be a part of this company and community,” Tiffany Klopp said. “We thoroughly enjoy getting to know the customers, talking to them about the bread and helping them understand what they’re eating.”

The Klopps realize that today people are paying better attention to what they’re eating and that’s why they knew this business opportunity was a good one. Breadsmith only uses the highest quality ingredients, with no additive or preservatives. Every ingredient is fresh – the zucchini walnut bread has real hand-shredded zucchini in it.

“We have both been working incredibly hard for the past 15 years to get to where we are today,” Tiffany Klopp said. “And we will work hard every day to make sure these stores are successful, not only for us, but for the community and for our entire team that is helping us make it successful. It’s a lot of work, but we are grateful and excited for the opportunity.”

If you go

What: Breadsmith of St. Charles

When: Monday: Closed; Tuesday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday: 7 a.m to 7 p.m.; Friday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: 121 N. 2nd St., St. Charles

Info: www.facebook.com/breadsmithofstcharles or 630-797-5901