Small State Provisions IS OPEN: Let Them Eat Bread!

Photography c/o Julie Bidwell

Are you ready to carb out on THE MOST tremendous bites of bready goodness your lips have savored?  Small State Provisions in West Hartford’s GastroPark has finally opened.

Owner, and head baker Kevin Masse has been incredibly patient this last year waiting to open his storefront bakery. Despite it being a difficult time for any industry, Masse’s fan base has multiplied; and, to see him finally open the doors to his beautiful brick and mortar was a pretty emotional moment. As he opened the doors for the first time on Saturday, July 3, he grabbed his camera to capture the smiles and cheers in the line as it wrapped around the door in the parking lot of the GastroPark, now THE place to “Gather and Graze” in WeHa. Small State Provisions’ goodies were sold out in 45 minutes!

Started as a Cottage Food Operation out of Masse’s home in 2019, Small State Provisions’ repertoire includes naturally leavened sourdough baguettes, batards, granola, cookies, and truly, the most life-altering focaccia I have ever had. Bread is likely in my blood, being cut from both Eastern and Western European cloth, so it does become a sort of spiritual experience when confronted with a really good loaf. When I picked up the Rosemary + Sea Salt Olive Oil Focaccia from what was still his home business, I couldn’t even wait until I got to my next destination before I had to try it. It was a crisp and sunny spring day, and I had an hour ahead of me, but within minutes my entire car filled with its aroma. I couldn’t stand it. I pulled over at J. René for a cappuccino and what became an out of body bready bonanza. The golden hue, the glisten from the olive oil, the earthy smell of the rosemary...and that’s all before taking a bite. There was a crackle of sea salt with my first pillowy bite and I was just done. I’m not sure I’ve dreamt of bread before Masse’s focaccia. 

Then came the gorgeous, right-from-a-photo-taken-along-the-Seine baguette and flowered batard. They have airy, yet chewy centers with crunchy exteriors. Masse isn’t just making bread that looks good; he has worked in and around food for years, and I’d say knows a thing or two about enticing consumers! He also knows business, having worked as an Ad executive for places like FeedFeed or Bake From Scratch.

Usually, I make my own granola, settling on a recipe my son sanctioned two years ago.  Well, that practice has now been ruined by Small State’s exceptionally-made small batches using olive oil and dark maple. I was blown away by how rich it was, and especially fell over the moon by the batches he makes with curry. It was certainly a parade for the senses. And, when granola is that delicious on its own, without a bowl of milk or yogurt, that’s the one for me.

When I asked him about Small State’s recent successful opening, he simply beamed, but admitted he was nervous. “I did not know what to expect.  I have been baking for so long out of the house, which minimized my risk (low overhead, bake on my own schedule, etc) and I was just worried...would people show up for this little bakery, would they be OK with the shift in my model? I was absolutely blown away by the support of this community that we've created... My favorite part was hearing all the chatter of people in line, connecting with one another, meeting new neighbors, coming back together again after so much time apart.” 

I’d say there’s more than baking bread happening here, for sure.

As Small State Provisions blossoms, Masse has brought in a team mate in junior baker Jonah Gershon (watch out for his gorgeous, naturally leavened sourdough chocolate babka), a native of West Hartford and currently a college student at Cornell University. Speaking of blossoms, as a big believer in collaboration and community, Masse has been working with Feather & Bloom out of Suffield on a beautiful Friday Bread & Broom subscription service. For eight weeks, you can be dazzled by your bakery selections plus a colorfully-painted mason jar bouquet. FYI: you receive one mason jar, to be filled each week by a different bouquet.

If the blooms aren’t for you, but you want the assurance of Small State’s amazing baked goods, you can also receive an eight week subscription for free delivery (if in West Hartford) or pick up at the bakery within GastroPark . 

Note: Chocolate Babkas and Baguettes are only available on Sundays.

But go early, everything sells out fast!

Small State Provisions

At GastroPark

637 New Park Avenue
West Hartford
Open Thursday - Sunday, 9am-2pm
www.smallstateprovisions.com

[Photography c/o Julie Bidwell]