The Rustic Charm

Made Fresh, Every Week

See what we're baking up each week. View our weekly menus and be sure to sign up for drop alerts.

Craft & Purpose

Baking with Intent

Guided by the principles of Ikigai, I blend a passion for community connection with the ancient craft of sourdough. The Rustic Charm is a microbakery in Cottage Grove, Minnesota dedicated to the slow food movement. Every week, I release a limited drop of heritage-grain loaves, hand-shaped and slow-fermented. If my sourdough motivates you to slow down and connect, I’ve succeeded.

Mixing bread dough in a bowl

The Shared Table

Be a Good Human. Eat Real Food.

The mantra of "Be a Good Human. Eat Real Food." is my North Star. I developed this during a really hard time in my life, and it continues to be my guide. My career in community engagement taught me that while strategy is vital, nothing builds a genuine "human moment" like the experience of a shared meal. Connection is the heartbeat of my kitchen; I bake to provide a centerpiece for your next conversation.

Cutting a loaf of sourdough bread

Honest Ingredients

Nordic roots & healthy living

I honor traditional, Nordic-inspired methods using only simple, high-quality ingredients that nourish the body. As a lifelong athlete, I believe what we eat should fuel a vibrant life. I’m training now to age like Dick Van Dyke—staying active, joyful, and legendary enough to still be hitting the trails in my 90s. It starts with real food.

A counter full of sourdough bread
"You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together."-Anthony Bourdain

How It Works: From My Oven to Your Table

We bake in small, intentional batches to ensure every loaf is fresh and there is zero waste.

Following our Nordic-inspired "drop" model is as simple as 1-2-3:

1

Scan the Menu

Every Sunday, we announce our weekly "drop" featuring our signature slow-fermented sourdough loaves and small-batch granola. Check our online storefront to see what’s coming out of the oven this week.

2

Pre-Order Early

Because we honor a traditional slow fermentation process, quantities are limited. Pre-orders go live on Sunday morning and close on Tuesday evening—be sure to grab your favorites before they sell out!

3

Pickup in Cottage Grove

Swing by our home-based bakery in Cottage Grove, Minnesota during your pre-selected Friday pickup window. Your bread will be fresh, hand-wrapped, and ready for your table.

Keep in touch

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