Sourdough Sanctuary began with a dear friend...

In October 2022, when I learned we were expecting our first child, David’s co-worker Josiah introduced me to his wonderful wife, Hannah. We became fast friends—connected by shared hobbies, the transition into life as stay-at-home moms, and a deep passion to build something meaningful for our families. After sharing all my baking stories with her, she sent me a jar of sourdough starter through what we affectionately called the “husband snail mail” . That little jar—nicknamed “Oogie Boogie”—changed everything.

What began as a simple effort to bake fresh bread with clean, wholesome ingredients instead of buying it at the store quickly grew into an obsession and a joy. A spark had grown into a fire. Friends and family asked constantly, “Can you bake some for me?”

Each time I placed a loaf—made with nothing more than flour, water, and salt—on the table and watched the joy it brought, I felt the treasure sourdough carries: connection, nourishment, and love.

Sourdough Sanctuary was born from that treasure. My hope is that this bakery becomes more than a place to find bread—it becomes a sanctuary, where time-honored tradition and simple ingredients bring warmth, comfort, and joy to every table.

The flour I use is the foundation of every loaf, and it is something I hold sacred. I work hard to source grains that tell a story — grown in Pennsylvania soil, nurtured by farmers who honor the land, and milled with the same care and tradition that once sustained entire communities. There is a fragrance to fresh flour that feels alive, a softness when it slips between my fingers, a warmth that whispers of fields and sunshine. When stone-ground, each particle carries the depth of the grain — earthy, nutty, and full of character — and I find myself grateful for the way it connects me to the land and to the generations who came before.

The Sourdough Sanctuary was born from these hushed, sacred moments and the humble ingredients that anchor them. It is more than bread — it is a space of stillness and connection, an offering meant to be shared at the table where stories are told, laughter lingers, and love is passed from hand to hand. My hope is that each loaf carries a piece of that sanctuary to you, a reminder of how beautiful life can be when we slow down and break bread together.

Baking with all my love,

Chef Monica "Nikki" Miller