Edible Food Find: Source Bakery

Photos by Adam DeTour

Upon entering Source Bakery, customers are immediately greeted by the scent of buttery pastries and freshly brewed espresso. With its extensive array of baked goods and carefully curated decor, Source quickly caught the eye of many North Shore foodies when it opened in early 2023. Founder Julie White says she wanted to start a business that provided customers with the comforting reminiscence of home-style recipes while also letting creativity shine with unexpected twists.

The bakery has found a home base in Gloucester’s historic center, a well-known part of the town that tourists and locals alike flock to in the warmer months. White and head baker Ashley Barnett started by joining the North Shore farmers market circuit in 2019, which helped them ease into their business more informally and understand which location might be a good fit for a permanent space.

“I was looking for a place in a city that felt like they needed something like this, and that was the resounding feedback we were getting at the Magnolia [farmers] market specifically,” says White. “So we set our sights on Gloucester, but then had to be patient and wait for the right space.”

And the right space did come. Nestled on a quiet street between Main and Rogers Street—which runs along Gloucester Harbor—the 19th-century building is centrally located while also being quiet enough for customers to work or relax. Much of the original inner structure was kept the same, with the Source team progressively adding elements as the business continues to grow. The result is a mix of cozy reupholstered vintage furniture with industrial-style accents. On the walls, paintings by various North Shore–based artists can be purchased by customers who wish to support the local arts scene.

“What we were hearing from people was that they had nowhere to come and sit, hang out and have coffee and breakfast and chill,” says White. “For me, it was more about creating a space that feels like it could be your living room.”

This sense of community also extends beyond Source’s clientele. White says she made it a priority from the start to build strong relationships with farmers and other small local providers. These relationships have been nurtured over time and many of these suppliers still work with Source today. Most are also certified organic or use sustainable production methods, which White says aligns perfectly with the bakeshop’s ethos.

Source’s menu includes a lot of revisited classics that hit the perfect balance between nostalgic and innovative; think cheddar and jalapeño biscuits and tahini chocolate tarts. Many of these vary seasonally and incorporate whatever produce is at its peak—like their famous hand pies, which can be filled with apples, peaches or rhubarb depending on the time of year.

“We always ask ourselves, ‘If you were making it for yourself or your friends, what would you do?’” says White. “That’s usually where we start.”

White has also recently purchased an espresso machine and describes it as a major milestone as it brings the bakery closer to her vision of a café-slash-hangout space for locals, who can now enjoy a frothy cappuccino with their slice of walnut coffee cake.

“I think our strategy is to do what you can do well, and don’t be afraid to go slow. I feel like that has benefited us in the end. We didn’t bite off more than we could chew,” she says. The team does hope to keep expanding its menu and offering a wider selection of options to delight its ever-growing customer base—a base that has been rooting for them every step of the way.

“I feel so excited that people are stoked about us and they want to come here every day,” she says. “I love connecting with people, getting to know them and just feeling part of a community.”

sourcebakery.com
3 Duncan St., Gloucester