10 Years of Homestead: A Decade of Bread, Community & Barrie

In May 2026, Homestead Artisan Bakery celebrated 10 years of brick-and-mortar. Saying that out loud feels surreal and literally makes me want to cry (joyful tears)

What started as a small bakery (at the Barrie Farmers market, out of Lises kitchen) built on a love for slow food, community, and good ingredients has grown into something far bigger than we ever imagined. Over the past decade, Homestead has become a place where people gather; for morning coffee, fresh bread, family traditions, celebrations, and everyday moments.

But more than anything, Homestead has become part of our lives.

For the two of us, building this bakery has happened alongside raising our children, growing as people, and learning what it means to run a business while also being mothers. Many of our kids have grown up inside these walls (especially in the early days, they were out little sidekicks are we dragged them along for the ride)

Owning a small business isn’t always easy. There are long days, hard decisions, and moments where we wonder if we got things right. The truth is, we don’t always. But one thing has never changed; we care deeply about this place, about the people who work here, and about the community that has supported us from the very beginning.

Barrie has shown up for us in ways we could never have expected. Watching customers become regulars, regulars become friends, and families make Homestead part of their own traditions is something we will never take for granted.

As we approach this 10-year milestone, we’ve been reflecting a lot on the journey so far — and feeling incredibly grateful.

To celebrate, we’re busy planning a number of special things throughout the spring and summer to mark the occasion. There will be some fun surprises, events, and a few ways for us to say thank you to the community that helped make all of this possible.

Ten years ago we opened the doors with hope, a lot of flour on our aprons, and a belief that good food brings people together.

That belief is still at the heart of everything we do.

Thank you for being part of the story.

—
Cait & Lise
Homestead Artisan Bakery