Jeanette Bolden-Pickens is a third generation owner of 27th Street Bakery. The business was launched as a restaurant by her grandfather, and then transformed into a specialty bakery shop that was passed to her mother and uncle. Jeanette took over the business after a successful career as a track and field athlete and coach*.
27th Street bakery wholesales its famous potato pies to west coast grocery stores, but it is the retail shop in south LA that is the heart of the business, located in the same spot since 1956.
Jeanette sought SBDC assistance when the pandemic impacted supply chains as well as their wholesale clients. Sales dropped by half and ingredients were difficult to source.
Jeanette attended the SBDC Restaurant Academy virtual workshops in the summer of 2020 and received 1:1 business advising in the areas of HR and restaurant operations. SBDC advisors helped Jeanette navigate COVID grant and disaster loan options. She successfully applied for PPP and a VSEDC grant, and by November 2020, Jeanette was ready to meet holiday demand for her pies and desserts.
Jeanette remains determined to weather the current economic uncertainties and pass the 27th Street Bakery legacy on to her son, daughter, nieces, nephews, and grandson.
(*fun fact – Jeanette is an Olympic medalist, three-time NCAA championship coach and former United States Olympic team coach)
