THESE SPECIALTY SHOPS DO WHAT WE CANNOT: DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO THE METICULOUS PERFECTION OF ONE PARTICULAR PRODUCT. WE LEAVE IT UP TO THEM TO PROVIDE US DELICIOUS, PRESERVATIVE-FREE, & FROM-SCRATCH BREADS, CHOCOLATE, PASTA, AND CHIPS. FIND THEIR PRODUCTS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD STORE!
Josh Allen developed a passion for food while working at the family business and started Companion Baking in 1993 at just 24. Josh wanted to create delicious European breads with simple ingredients. Within four years Companion received the Industry Leadership Award from Modern Baking Magazine and in 2007 USA Today named Companion one of the “Top 10 Artisan Bakeries” in the country! Companion breads can be found at more than 100 local restaurants, Schnucks, Dierbergs, and Companion’s cafes.
George Hubbard started making jams and salsas for his rural insurance customers and with their encouragement started selling it in specialty stores. The Hubbards get their unique flavor by cultivating their own peppers on their land in O’Fallon, IL. George also simmers his salsa for a minimum of 8 hours so all flavors are released for the best taste. Grigo George chips are made from pure corn tortillas with no preservatives, the traditional way.
After spending years in the corporate world, owner and chief chocolatier, Brian Pelletier followed his true passion and started bringing people joy through chocolate in 2008. He began his journey in a windowless basement that has grown into three stores and numerous rewards! Kakao Chocolate uses only natural ingredients and takes the time to hand dip all confections in small batches. The passion and quality is evident in every bite!
Midwest Pasta Co opened in 2011 with one goal in mind, to provide quality, handcrafted pasta, sauces, oils and herbs to the St. Louis area. Today they provide their fresh pastas to more than 80 local restaurants and independent grocers, as well as private label, fresh pasta to Schnucks and Dierbergs. You can find them at area farmers markets or straight from their storefront on Cherokee Street. Midwest Pasta Co. makes about A TON of the highest quality pasta a week at competitive prices.
Billy Goat Chip Company open in 2009 with one thing in mind, creating a high-quality, hand crafted option in the snack aisle. From selecting certified Idaho® russet potatoes to hand filling nearly 10,000 bags of chips a day, you can taste the dedication that Billy Goat Chip Co. puts into every batch they make.