In 2001, Ron Rottinghaus opened Uprise Bakery on Broadway in downtown Columbia with his wife, Courtney. The next year they began selling their naturally leavened, hand-shaped, hearth-baked bread at Columbia Farmers Market. In 2008, the bakery expanded and moved to 10 Hitt St. While Ron serves as head bread baker, Courtney manages their stall at Columbia Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.
The bakery sells various artisan breads, rolls, croissants, muffins, scones, and cookies. All the breads and pastries are baked fresh on the morning of the market.
Uprise bread is baked the old world way, with sourdough and natural varieties 100 percent naturally leavened. This improves flavor, extends shelf life, and facilitates better nutritional absorption.
“Our bread is crusty, requiring a bread knife and a good set of teeth,” Courtney said. “We know Columbia Farmers Market customers cook, and they see this bread as part of their complete meal.”
Courtney is both a vendor and a shopper at the market. She has maintained a longtime working relationship with other vendors, whose fresh produce goes into Uprise Bakery’s seasonal soups. The heart of the bakery experience is bread and vegetarian soup. Scratch made croissants and pastries, as well as sandwiches and salads, are crafted daily. The bakery also serves coffee, espresso, beer, whiskey, and wine.
Uprise Bakery sells bread at the three HyVee locations, both Clovers Natural markets, and Natural Grocers. Uprise bread is served at Broadway Brewery, Main Squeeze Cafe, Cafe Berlin, Sycamore Restaurant, and the Wine Cellar & Bistro.
