Madison Sourdough Purchased by Bakers

MADISON, Wis., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Madison Sourdough announces the acquisition of the company by bakers Andrew Hutchison and David Lohrentz.  Former owner, Cameron Ramsay originally founded the Company on Williamson Street in 1994.  Ramsay is now writing a book about bread baking.  The business purchase was initiated in Aug. 2009, and completed prior to the holidays.  The acquisition included all equipment, formulas, inventory, rights to the name, web site, and the company's 20 year-old sourdough starter.

The new owners both studied at the University of Wisconsin.  Hutchison studied art prior to apprenticing at Madison Sourdough for four years.  Lohrentz has a graduate degree in Entrepreneurship, and previously worked in Madison as a commercial lender and a commercial real estate broker.  Hutchison's role will be as head of production and product development, while Lohrentz will be in charge of marketing and finance.

"This represents the chance of a lifetime," said Lohrentz.  "We want our bakers to tell a story about themselves through everything that we bake.  I believe that we have some intriguing stories to tell."

Since the acquisition, Madison Sourdough has added five new wholesale customers, Fromagination, Indie Coffee Shop, Cool Beans coffee shop, Cooper's Tavern, and Ironworks Cafe.  The company's bread and pastry are now available at 18 local coffee shops, 6 grocery stores and 14 restaurants.  Products are also available from the storefront at 6640 Mineral Point Road in the Clocktower Plaza, and from April through November at the Dane County Farmers Market and the West  Side Community market.

The new owners intend to remain a leading wholesale provider, while also becoming a more prominent retail bakery.  The company has recently developed more than a twenty new products, including Cracked Rye, Five-Grain Batard, Focaccia, Ciabatta, Cranberry-Walnut Boule, Apple Galette, Pear Galette, Chocolate Macaroons, with many more products in the works.

Web site: www.madisonsourdough.com

SOURCE Madison Sourdough