Black History Month is a time where we celebrate and honor the stories and legacies of African Americans that have played a huge role in shaping our nation. Black history is American history, and many black business owners have found ways to connect with their community through food. James (Jim) Hamlin, owner of The Avenue Bakery is one of them.
"We don't just feed our customer's body," says Hamlin. "We feed their mind."
Since 2011, The Avenue Bakery has been serving freshly-baked goods to residents along the Penn Ave corridor. But people from all over the state have come to try "Poppay's Rolls", along with other delicious delicacies on the menu. Poppay is a nod to Jim's nickname, given to him by his grand-daughter Bria.
“We’re here for the purpose of our young folks and the future,” says Hamlin, “They need to have pride in themselves and dignity. In order to acquire that, they need to know the value of their community, the people who came before them, and value themselves.”
And what better way to value your community than by showing up and investing in what it has to offer? This year, The Avenue Baker celebrates 15 years. If you're in the Pennsylvania Ave area, make sure to pay The Avenue Bakery a visit (2229 Pennsylvania Ave) and try one of Poppay's Rolls, cinnamon raisin buns, freshly-made croissants, and more.
For more information, visit https://www.theavenuebakery.com/ or follow them on Instagram at the_avenue_bakery.