After almost a decade of selling baked goods at Lafayette Farmers Market, Smittybread Bakery is taking a break from the downtown market and will sell solely out of its 415 S. 4th St. shop on Saturdays, starting May. 2.

The decision to forego this year’s downtown farmer’s market, which takes place Saturday mornings from May through October, was reached with mixed emotions, and the change will require some adjustment. But I think, or at least hope, customers and the bakery will benefit over time.

While several considerations are at play here, the most important one is the need to better serve our customers, who have come to rely on us for quality breads and pastries that brighten their days.

Saturdays are typically the highest volume days for small retail bakeries like ours. It’s the end of the workweek for most customers, and a chance to relax. A trip to the local bakery on the weekend is more than shopping: It’s an event!

The Lafayette Farmers Market to some extent shares those features. It’s a festive place where people gather, not only to buy but to experience sounds and smells and social interactions you can’t find at the local supermarket.

Over the years the downtown market has expanded in size and foot traffic, and we as a business have cashed in on that increase, often selling out of key items, like sourdough bread, hours before quitting time.

A nice problem to have, right? Here’s the rub. As both the bakery and market have grown, we can no longer supply both the market booth and bakery for more than a few hours. Our production capacity is flexible most of the week but simply maxed out on Fridays and Saturdays.

Running out of product at the market is one thing. Customers are disappointed, but they have other options close by. Running out of product at the bakery is another matter. What should be a happy occasion becomes a wasted trip, and potentially a lost customer.

We are not in the disappointment business. We want customers who take time to visit the bakery to feel the trip was worthwhile. Making them happy makes us happy.

So for the foreseeable future, if you plan on buying Smittybread pastries, baguettes, sourdough, or pretzels on a Saturday, plan on coming into the bakery. We are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. And if you still want to visit the market, it’s just a half mile away. Do both!

And by the way, Smittybread Bakery will continue operating its popular booth at the West Lafayette Farmers Market every Wednesday from 3:30 to 7 p.m. starting May 6.

While smaller in comparison to the Lafayette market, it’s more compatible with our weekday operating hours (9-4) and occurs on a day when we have capacity to spare. It’s a great little market, providing a mid-week break and a chance to grab something for dinner on the way home. Hope to see you there!