Vendor Spotlight: WalkerWorks Woodcraft & Bakery Division

Creativity has a way of finding its path, and for Joe and Michelle Walker, that path has led to handcrafted woodwork, fresh sourdough, and a community that has become part of their family.

WalkerWorks began when Joe returned to woodworking after years away from the craft. He first learned woodworking in high school, but life, military service in the Marines, and raising a family left little room for time in the shop. Following a knee injury that kept him at home, Michelle surprised him with a hobby lathe. Before long, Joe was back at the workbench creating handcrafted pens and sharing them with friends and family. Their encouragement quickly grew into custom orders, and Walker Works Woodcraft was born.

As Joe's craftsmanship expanded to include bowls, cutting boards, knives, and other

kitchen pieces, one product became especially popular: his handcrafted bread bow knife. Michelle baked a loaf of sourdough to demonstrate how beautifully it sliced fresh bread. Customers loved the knife, but they kept asking the same question.

"Is the bread for sale?"

That simple question opened an unexpected new chapter for WalkerWorks.

Today, Joe and Michelle bake approximately 300 loaves of sourdough every week while continuing to create handcrafted wooden kitchen goods. Their bread can now be found at local markets, in five retail locations, and is made in their commercial kitchen, all while staying true to the quality that first won over their customers.

Like many small businesses, growth came one lesson at a time. Their first large woodworking order was for 17 matching pen and pencil sets, teaching them how to manage production. Baking followed a similar learning curve. Early batches were mixed one bowl at a time. Now, they prepare dough in large tubs that each hold enough for eight loaves, mixing three batches at once to keep up with demand.

For Joe and Michelle, the work is about more than making products. It is about seeing people enjoy them. Offering bread samples gives them the chance to watch someone's face light up after the first bite. Joe enjoys talking with customers about the unique grain and character of each piece of wood he carefully selects. Every board, bowl, and knife reflects the time and attention he pours into his craft.

Behind every market day is a family effort. Sourdough is a two day process, so preparation begins well before the tents go up. Joe, Michelle, and their daughters spend the days leading up to market baking, wrapping, tagging, and getting everything ready. Whenever time allows, Joe also heads back into the workshop to create new woodcraft pieces. It is not unusual for them to arrive at the market with bread that is still warm from the oven.

Their journey has also been shaped by the people they have met along the way. From sharing their first market booth with Belly Acres Farmstead to becoming familiar faces each week, the relationships they have built with fellow vendors and loyal customers have become one of the most rewarding parts of the business.

When asked what they are most grateful for, the answer comes easily. Their family makes it all possible, their customers continue to support their dream, and the friendships they have built through the market mean everything to them.

Looking ahead, Joe and Michelle are excited for the next chapter, including Joe's eventual retirement so he can devote himself to crafting full time. Until then, they will keep doing what they love: baking fresh sourdough, creating beautiful woodcraft, and welcoming familiar faces and new friends to their booth each market day.

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