RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- A longtime Richmond institution known for their dough is pulling the plug on production which is leaving some surprised chefs and restaurant owners searching for another supplier.
They're scrambling at Mint -- and it is not the eggs. The restaurant's bread supplier, Weiman's Bakery, in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom neighborhood is closing for good, leaving a sour dough taste in the mouths of many.
"Weiman's is done," says Randall Doetzer. "It was a good product at a good price. We put in an order today and they didn't come by so it leaves us in a sticky situation. We're making a whole lot of calls and hope somebody has bread."
Doetzer, head chef at Mint on Main Street in The Fan, is looking for a new provider of all things bread.
Doetzer says they've always enjoyed a good working relationship with Weiman's.
"It had a good reputation around town. We like it. It served our purposes well for a year," he says.
Weiman's, a fixture in Richmond for generations, is turning off the oven for good. Someone who picked up the phone at the bakery told CBS6 the facility will close Friday.
The last loaves will be baked and delivered at the end of the week. No reason for the closing was given.
"Someone feels that that property is worth more than what that property is worth and Mr. Weiman has agreed."
Rick Tatnall with Replenish Richmond in the Bottom says he'll miss more than just his neighbor's prescence.
"The fresh baked bread fills the air! It fills your nose. It just smells great," says Tatnall.
Back at Mint head chef Randalll says a new supplier will undoubtedly charge more for bread. Eating the costs without passing them on to customers will taste as stale as week old bread.
"This is going to cost us a few thousand dollars a year," says Mint chef Randall Doetzer. "I've always tried supporting them in what they do. It is just another loss for the community."
In 2011 Weiman's was sued by a group of employees for racial harassment. The bakery had to pay a total of $17,000 to two employees.
There is speculation that the bakery's closing is linked to a larger baseball stadium deal in the works.
CBS 6 requested to speak with the owner Allan Weiman. Weiman has not returned our calls.
