My husband, Luke, and I grew up in Omaha.
This is where we met. This is where our families are. This is where we fell in love.
For about as long as I can remember, it has been my dream to own a coffeehouse and bakery. I went to school at Milligan College where I earned a degree in business administration and constantly experimented in our apartment’s tiny kitchen. We lived in Tennessee for a few years that I wouldn’t trade for anything, partially because when we returned to Omaha it was with fresh eyes for the city and ways to be involved here. I quickly began working in a bakery to be sure that my lifelong dream lined up with the industry’s daily reality. Once again I found myself falling in love in Omaha, this time with with a little shop on the corner of 11th and Jones.
In February of 2010, we founded Bliss Old Market Bakery. At that time, we were subleasing the kitchen and small storefront from Aromas Coffeehouse downtown. A year and a half later, we were able to purchase Aromas.
We remodeled in spring of 2013 and opened a second coffeehouse location in the Benson neighborhood in October of the same year.
Most recently, we launched our own coffee roasting company, Hardy Coffee Co., in the north downtown area.
This timeline just barely begins to capture who we are as a company, though.
I’ve learned that this relationship with small business is turbulent and more difficult than anything we have ever done before. It’s putting our heart and soul into contributing to an economy and community. It’s passion for the product, long days, short nights, and a constant process of becoming and feeling more qualified. It’s asking for help. It’s attention to detail and hiring employees that are more like family. It is slow progress. It is heart-wrenching and it is captivating. Yep, you see, small business is also wildly rewarding and empowering and worthwhile and an incredible vehicle to get to know and serve each of you.
We couldn’t do it without your support and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.
- Autumn Pruitt