Not too posh and not too hipster, Honey and Rye Bakehouse is a self-proclaimed “urban farmhouse” with a focus on artisan breads and midwestern pastries. The rustic interior, the easygoing coffee-house atmosphere, and the mouthwatering baked goods make Honey and Rye a neighborhood favorite in St. Louis Park. “We dabble in french technique, like with our baguettes and croissants, but also stick to our Minnesotan roots with our cream cheese frosted cinnamon rolls and monkey bread. The best of both worlds!” owner Anne Andrus said.

Honey and Rye is everything you never knew you wanted out of a bakehouse. Whether you’re in the mood for desserts, coffee, soups, salads, sandwiches, tea, or even a loaf of bread, Honey and Rye can satisfy the pickiest of taste buds. “Our baking style is for sure our own. We just love to experiment will all different sorts of flavors and techniques that appeal to us. We’ve got our own rule book and don’t feel the need to stick to any one method or style of baking; it just needs to taste delicious,” Andrus said.

You can’t go wrong with a Honey and Rye croissant. Whether it’s a chocolate croissant, a ham and cheese croissant, or a classic croissant with nothing on it, you know it is going to be crisp and delectable. Baguettes are another staple of Honey and Rye, and for patrons in a rush, Honey and Rye offers “grab-and go” baguettes. Pick a baguette from the basket, and simply pay for the baguettes by putting the appropriate amount of cash into a payment box. It’s as easy as pie (which is also offered at Honey and Rye).

If the food isn’t enough, the decor alone at Honey and Rye makes it worth a stop. Honey and Rye’s building used to be a laundromat that was awkwardly shaped, industrial, and had a tacky light-up sign. With a fresh coat of paint and all-around refurbishing, Honey and Rye has turned into a slightly edgy yet still welcoming Bakehouse. Changing the logo made the light-up sign look intentionally retro, and industrial features like the air ducts make Honey and Rye even cooler.

Midwestern antiques and knick-knacks are sprinkled around Honey and Rye. Everything about Honey and Rye feels very midwestern, cozy, and homey. Antique tables with cute tablecloths line the windows and are the perfect place to indulge in a My So Called Twix Bar or a slice of Mom’s Multigrain Loaf, both Honey and Rye specialties.

It took Andrus years to refine her skills, but her passion for baking started when Andrus was a little girl, baking alongside her mother in their rural home near Little Falls, Minnesota. Years later, after graduating from St. Catherine’s University, Andrus rekindled her love for baking at the San Francisco Baking Institute, and returned to Minnesota dreaming of someday opening a bakery of her own. A few years ago, Andrus’ dreams became a reality and she opened Honey and Rye.

“If anyone is interested in pursuing a small business of their own, especially in the culinary world, I support them to follow their dream,” Andrus said. “When I was still baking with my mom at home as a little girl, I remember thinking how cool it would be to have monkey bread every day of the week…and now I can say, it’s awesome!”