Imagine it is the very end of a stressful work week. You want to find a way to relax and take it easy.
You could have a drink, but just don’t feel like having one. You know it now is legal to have recreational marijuana in Missouri and don’t usually take drugs, but have a curiosity. You might have had a small bit of a special brownie at a party once before, but definitely didn’t like the one flavor that could not be masked by chocolate.
So what options do you have? There are dispensaries with a variety of pre-packaged edibles, but you are curious about something different than what is offered.
In Columbia, there definitely is one person with a licensed business making a variety of savory and sweet baked goods and snacks that could satisfy your curiosity. You have seen signs on street corners throughout the city. It is Highbread Bakery and Treats.
The business got its start roughly one year ago out of the home kitchen of owner McPeak, but within a few months had transitioned to a commercial operation from the CoMo Cooks shared kitchens of The Loop Community Improvement District.
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Getting started
Baking and running a business is familiar to McPeak, whose mother operates a home-based bakery in Tennessee. It was in the last four or five years that baking became a passion, McPeak said.
“I always knew I wanted to use cannabis or hemp in some way in my baking. So, I worked with the city health department to get some clarification,” McPeak said, adding they get into the zone and a rhythm when baking. “It is easy to just forget about everything else.”
McPeak was impressed by The Loop, its community connections and its open arms since Highbread products are made with cannabis derivatives delta-8 or CBD.
“I came and said, ‘This is what I want to do,’ and they said, ‘OK, I think we can do that,’ ” McPeak said. “You don’t meet a stranger here (in the kitchens).”
Enjoying the products
Both delta-8 and CBD are used in products sold at Highbread. Delta-8 is one of the myriad cannabinoids present in the plant, but is less potent than other derivatives.
Even so, it still can give similar sensations, so McPeak recommends a “less is more” approach when consuming the products.
In other words, cut off a small piece from a cookie or cereal bar of one of the other baked goods or snacks, consume and wait 30 to 45 minutes to see how you feel.
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Originally working in higher education teaching graphic design, this is the first semester McPeak is not teaching. McPeak is a student again, receiving culinary and pastry training from a community college in St. Louis. This juggling of schedules means McPeak conducts sales and completes orders on Fridays and Saturdays.
“(Not teaching) has given me time to concentrate on school more and the business more. Being a student and owning a business is now a full-time gig. It’s an interesting change, for sure,” McPeak said. “I’m still able to be creative baking and that is one of things I love about it as an artist.”
Once McPeak finishes the culinary program, that will open the door toward increasing hours or days sold.
First customers and new products
McPeak expressed excitement over getting that first customer, noting while friends may give you constructive feedback, who you want to listen to most are the customers.
McPeak, through both customer feedback and increasing skills thanks to culinary school training, is working to grow the variety of products sold.
Cookies, brownies, and other sweet treats are expected, but McPeak also has savory options via flavored popcorn. Sorbets also were recently developed, which were introduced over last weekend.
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While many of the products are McPeak’s recipes, a few of the cookies are based on recipes from their mother.
For products that use delta-8, McPeak works closely with the supplier to ensure dosing is accurate in the variety of products. Cookies can have a minimum of 40 mg, while cereal bars and brownies can have up to 110 or 125 mg, respectively.
“It is just really clean. It helps you sleep if you need sleep. It can be a pain reliever. People seem to like it and it works well,” McPeak said.
The delta-8 McPeak uses is flavorless as well, unlike other edibles, which may smell or taste like cannabis.
Future goals
The next step for McPeak is fixing up a recently purchased food trailer from which to sell products, such as at various music festivals. The business is taking baby steps, McPeak said.
“Hopefully by 4/20, I’ll have the trailer ready to go,” McPeak said, adding this would give a chance to travel around the state and possibly to others. “We’ll see how it goes.”
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A small brick-and-mortar store could come at a later date, but will require balancing of roles.
“When you are a small business just getting started, you are more than just the baker. You’re the accountant, social media person. All the things. Sometimes I feel like there isn’t enough time in the day, but I wouldn’t trade it,” McPeak said. “I enjoy it too much.”
Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.