Rustica Bakery Is Sold to Dogwood Coffee Co-Founder Greg Hoyt

The award winning bakery was just recognized as a James Beard Award semifinalist. It was the culmination of years of hard work and the perfect high note to end an era on. It has been announced that Rustica's head baker and co-owner Steve Horton along with co-owner Barbara Shaterian have made the decision to leave the bakery.

Horton spoke with the Star Tribune late yesterday afternoon saying, ""I’m a little fried. I feel like I need to step away and spend time with my kids, but I can’t leave Rustica without being completely gone."

Horton and Shaterian are selling the business to Greg Hoyt - the co-founder of Dogwood Coffee. Rustica and Dogwood were already partners in the Stock and Badge company, which briefly ran Parka and restaurants inside the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. (All have since closed. Parka transitioned to a Dogwood Coffee Shop.)

Hoyt and Horton's friendship dates back over 20 years. The bakery, located inside the Calhoun Village complex will continue to turn out the crusty bread with the tender crumb, the addictive cookies and gooey pastries that the bakery has become known for. Hoyt said, "Dogwood Coffee was started out of Rustica, largely inspired by the uncompromising attention to detail of its bread and pastries. This is an opportunity to carry on, not change something that is very special."

Meanwhile, Dogwood will remain under the guidance of co-founder Dan Anderson.

This also marks the end of the Stock and Badge company.