The heartwarming story behind Alabama’s newest must-try bakery

With the opening of Stinson Breads in Opelika, Anna Claire and Matthew Stinson turned what started out as baking for friends into a full-time bakery, and it’s bringing so much more than just sourdough to its community.

Anna Claire Stinson, who is originally from Baldwin County, said that while she has always enjoyed baking, she didn’t pursue her interest in sharpening her culinary skills until after graduating from Auburn University in 2017 when she decided to take an online baking course in her free time, and in the process, she managed to pique her husband, Matthew’s, interest as well.

“Whenever I got to the sourdough section, Matthew, who has a scientific background, took up an interest in it as well, so he’s kind of like the science behind the dough, and I’m more of the art behind it,” said Stinson. “It just kind of started from there.”

Stinson Breads in Opelika offers a variety of breads and pastries, including croissants, to its surrounding communities. (Anna Claire Stinson)Anna Claire Stinson/Stinson Breads

Stinson said they began experimenting and making sourdough together in October 2019 for friends, and it wasn’t long before others began reaching out through social media, asking how to buy their bread. Over the next five years, the couple went from making bread in their kitchen to renting commercial kitchen space to keep up with demand to ultimately opening their own storefront in charming downtown Opelika in 2024.

“You know, whenever Matthew and I were talking very seriously way back in 2019 about me wanting to open a bakery, we knew that we couldn’t just open another bakery that already existed in the area,” said Stinson. “We went on our honeymoon to Germany and France in 2018 and had some of the best bread we’ve ever had. So whenever we were kind of reflecting on that, we were like, this doesn’t really exist in this area. Why can’t we do that? Why can’t we add to kind of that food culture in this little way?”

While on the weekends their menu offerings include a wide range of rotating breads and sourdough flavors, including lemon olive walnut, jalapeno cheddar, cranberry walnut and more as well as Ciabatta, baguettes, table rolls, sandwich bread and Focaccia, Stinson said it’s their original house bread that is the, no pun intended, the “bread and butter” of the bakery.

“Our house is like your basic country sourdough loaf,” said Stinson. “The only ingredients are flour, water, salt and our sourdough starter. It’s very basic, but that is the loaf we started with all those years ago and remains the most popular. For retail and wholesale, it’s our most sought after item.”

Other items available at the bakery — open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. unless they sell out earlier, which is likely on the weekends — include pastries, such as a variety of croissants, morning buns, cinnamon rolls and even bourbon coffee twists made using bourbon from the bakery’s neighbors, John Emerald Distilling Company.

“I love our bourbon coffee twist,” said Stinson. “We kind of cut it in strips and roll it up into a round twist, and then after it’s baked, we dip it in a bourbon coffee glaze. It just has a really like, deep complex flavor in that glaze, and I just love it.”

Fans of Stinson Breads can also find their products at several restaurants and eateries in the surrounding areas, including Acre in Auburn, Piedmont on Piedmont in Opelika, Animal Farm in Columbus, Ga., and more, with hopes to continue to add to the growing list. In addition, the bakery hosts special events and workshops, including “Sourdough 101″ for those looking to gain more hands-on experience with baking.

Ultimately, Stinson said that their goal was to bring the quality of bread they had while on their honeymoon back to Opelika, and it’s been a humbling experience that something seemingly simple could bring so much joy to the community.

“When we did start making this bread, small scale and larger scale, like we’re doing now, I think people are just so appreciative that they can get that type of bread and that quality of bread,” said Stinson. “Whether that’s people who have lived in this area all their lives or people who have moved to this area from all over the world, I feel like people just appreciate the fact that we’re here and just doing our little bit to contribute.”

Stinson Breads is located at 714 North Railroad Avenue in Opelika. You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram as well as visit their website.