Oink Bakery and Gifts at Thomason’s was not something owner Kevin Gibson had on his radar when he decided to build an addition to the renowned barbecue venue.
The plans for the addition were to build a production area to package Thomason’s baked beans so that the restaurant can ship its most famous side to retailers across the country. And that’s still the plan.
But as the construction went, Gibson reconsidered an area that had been planned as a stockroom.
At least some of that reconsideration can be attributed to Thomason’s baker, Lori Betz, who asked Gibson if she could have a place to sell the breads she bakes. (She’s assisted by assistant baker Jacob Walden.)
Gibson said OK, and while he was at it, he also added spots to display small gifts, some souvenir style, and desserts that Thomason’s sells, such as pies and carrot cupcakes. And bread pudding, which sold out at Oink’s Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting Friday morning, Gibson said.
The room will also be a place where local artwork can be put on display. (Currently Katie Hargis’ work highlighting places in the East End is on display.)
Thomason’s bakers bake brioche buns, brioche slider buns, loaves of rye and white bread, Gibson said. He said Oink gives Betz an outlet to display more of her skills while also offering customers an extra stop to have a little fun.
“Even if it only makes $100 a day, it’s still more than it would have (as a stockroom),” Gibson said.
But not to forget the beans. The opening of that piece of the new addition is an estimated between 30-90 days away, Gibson said. He said he’s waiting on getting an exhaust hood and a vacuum sealing machine.
In the meantime, Gibson has made contact with grocers to discuss the opportunity of getting Thomason’s baked beans on the shelves while also gleaning advice from them for the product’s success.
On Oink, though, Gibson said it was not in the cards when he decided on the addition, which was supposed to be all for the beans.
“On my way to bean world, this was not a stop that was planned,” he said.
