Thunderbird Bakery has completed construction of its new commercial kitchen at 959 W. 6th Ave. in Oshkosh, marking a new milestone for the business that specializes in scratch‑made artisan sourdough breads, European style pastries and sweet treats.
Originally opened in 2019 on Planeview Drive, it was the first sourdough bakery in the Oshkosh area. It all began with co‑owner Trent Wester creating and selling bakery treats at home. He eventually bought a wood fire oven kit and began baking in his driveway and selling products at the Oshkosh Farmers Market.
Rising with that success, Wester and co‑owner Elizabeth Redman wrote their business plan and built their first licensed commercial kitchen in 2019. They chose to pursue the wholesale market before opening a retail space, which proved to be a “great decision” considering the COVID‑19 pandemic hit a few months after opening.
“Throughout COVID we did home deliveries, we built up wholesale business, all the while looking to purchase our own building,” Redman says. “In 2022 we found the location on W. 6th Avenue and now, three‑and‑a‑half, four years later it’s complete.”
The new space brings the bakery’s production and café operations together under one roof. For the first time, the kitchen and café are in the same building, and it’s been exciting for the team to work more closely together and for customers to be even closer to the baking process.
The kitchen includes a new oven, increasing baking capacity by five times, and the walk‑in fridge is about four times the size of the previous, allowing much needed capacity.
“Both of these have been game changers; they were the biggest barriers for growth,” Redman says. “We were able to design this space efficiently, making it nicer and easier for our staff in terms of layout. Now, there’s efficiency in volume; it doesn’t take someone much longer to make 200 loaves than 150.”
This location also cements the neighborhood’s historic aspects by bringing back artisan products. Originally constructed in 1915, it once operated as Reichenberger’s Meat Market — a neighborhood meat market and grocery store.
“It feels good to be part of the revitalization,” Redman says. “It’s nice to know that people recognize quality and they’re willing to spend a little bit more for a loaf of bread.”
The new kitchen has also allowed the business to seek out wholesale partnerships; before, they were struggling to keep up. Redman says the business has found a niche supplying coffee shops with fresh baked pastries and bread for sale and for use in menu items. They are also looking to expand into small retailers.
But keeping quality in mind, Redman says: “Our bread is best the day you purchased it, and we don’t want to extend the shelf life much past what it is now, because then we’re sacrificing quality. And we’re not willing to do that.”
The bakery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
