‘We’re still here. Yes! We plan on staying here’: Ogden Old Grist Mill Bread Co. survives redevelopment

OGDEN, UT (ABC4) — Old Grist Mill Bread Co. announces nearby demolition will not affect their store.

Old Grist Mill Bread Co. is a favorite for many. Recently, the demolition of an old Winegar’s grocery store and a small strip mall next door had many wondering what the future would hold for the restaurant.

General Manager Oakley Hurt told ABC4 that they have no plans of leaving. She also thanked the community for using Facebook to drum up support while business is slow.  

“I missed you,” one customer told the employees at Old Grist Mill Bread Co. She added, “I was just passing by, and I was like, ‘Oh, Old Grist is right around here.’”  

Whether a customer or an employee at Old Grist Mill, there’s a genuine sense of community.  

“This bread is pumpkin chocolate chip,” One customer told ABC4 while checking out. “I’ve never heard of it but sounds good to me,” he added. Another customer added, “It’s the best place to get lunch- soup and sandwich.”  

While customers are there to eat, it feels like there is something that keeps people coming back. “It’s a family in its own way,” an employee named Kami said.   

“I just love the community that this business has to offer,” General Manager Oakley Hurd said.  

However, business has been slower than usual. “I thought they were going to end up shutting our building down, and then I’d have to find a new job and wouldn’t be able to see my friends, and it was kind of scary,” said Kami.  

Many community members were scared as well when the neighboring businesses were demolished. But Hurd says there’s nothing to worry about.

“We are still here,” stated Hurd. “Don’t let the construction scare you. Our food will taste just the same.”  

Hurd told ABC4 that even though the neighboring businesses that shared the lot were torn down for redevelopment, there are no plans to demolish their building.   

However, construction means there is much less parking available in front of the restaurant, and it often shuts down part of 2^nd street. Couple that with fences that surround the lot and from the road some might think Old Grist is closed. 

Hurd said all of this has caused business to slow, but they plan to stay open while construction continues. “We’re just hoping we can maintain strong and come out on top,” she said.  

The community is rallying behind them to get more people through the doors.

“We get some attention on Facebook so it’s helped us a little,” an employee named Brody explained to a customer. The community is using social media to let others know Old Grist is still open and to encourage them to stop by and boost business.  

“That’s really nice to see that our customers, you know, people who come here care and still want us to be here,” Hurd stated. Getting the word out now that they are still open is important, she said, because fall and winter typically make up the restaurant’s busiest time of year.  

Hurd said there is a new parking lot being paved for the customers of the three businesses that remain open on the lot. She said it should be open in about a week and will make it easier to get in and out during construction.