Mabel’s Bakeshop Brings Fresh Bread and Creativity to Hunt Country

Written by Emerson Leger

At farmers markets this summer, Mabel’s Bakeshop has been selling bread like hot pockets. Owner Marie Alessi has been participating in local farmers markets since June 2022. The shop, named after her granddaughter, was born from curiosity about sourdough starter and soon turned into a business after Alessi received positive feedback from her colleagues at work.

“Little did I know that my bread was something people were looking for,” she says.

There are 14 flavors of bread offered, from traditional sourdough to a brown sugar and cinnamon loaf. Alessi says she loves working with flavor profiles, and making bread allows her to show it off. As of May 2024, she was making 250 loaves each weekend out of a commercial kitchen, almost double what she could make at home. The bigger space helps with the bigger demand.

“When I first started, I’d sell out in an hour and half within markets opening,” Alessi recalls.

Alessi transports her loaves using a van. Each weekend, she rotates between four farmers markets, from Warrenton and The Plains to Haymarket and Manassas. She also sells her bread in three stores: Erin’s Elderberries in Vint Hill, Kinloch Farm Store in The Plains, and Manassas Olive Oil Co. Customers can email her by Tuesday to pick up in-store or by Wednesday to pick up at the markets. They can also visit her website to see which markets she’ll be at each weekend.

“I am not ready for Mabel’s Bakeshop to be a permanent fixture,” Alessi explains. “Everything I have done has been a progression of letting the business create itself.”

For Alessi, a typical day making bread is a long one. She usually spends five hours in the kitchen, and is there all day on Fridays preparing for the weekend. Alessi says she doesn’t mind the long hours because she gets to be creative. This business brings out the artist in her.

“It’s fun,” she shares. “My bread allows me to do what I do best, and that’s my flavors.” ML

Visit mabelsbakeshop.com to learn more.

Posted on: August 29, 2025