Rustic Hearth finds buyer

CEDAR RAPIDS — Less than two weeks after putting his bakery up for sale, Rustic Hearth owner Tom Schmitt has found a buyer.

Upon accepting the buyer’s offer, Schmitt announced this week that the bakery would close Oct. 22.

“I will let the new tenants introduce themselves and provide their baked goods when the time comes,” he said. “Please give them as much support as you have given me.”

“I am sad to leave, but also very grateful for all the love and support you have shown me over the years,” Schmitt added. “I hope my baked goods showed you some love back.”

The bakery, started by Schmitt inside NewBo City Market in April 2015, moved to its brick-and-mortar location at 3531 Mount Vernon Rd. SE in 2019.

One of his signature sourdoughs, The Beast, was made from a fermented wild yeast he's kept alive for over 15 years. He ground his flour personally in six varieties that he combined to make multiple flavor profiles.

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