Community Spotlight: Herb & Honey Bakery

Written by Bobbie Fenno

What began as a 200-square-foot bakery kiosk inside Urbaniak Brothers during the height of the pandemic has grown into one of Erie's most beloved community-centered businesses. Founded by Erie native and self-described "local queerdo" Jessica Schultz in November 2020, Herb & Honey Bakery has become known not only for its award-winning artisan baked goods but also for its commitment to inclusion, local food systems, and community care.

After studying nutrition and community food systems in college, Schultz returned to Erie in 2020. Seeking both community and a business opportunity, she invested what had originally been intended as a house down payment into bakery equipment and opened Herb & Honey. This leap of faith quickly found an audience among customers who valued locally sourced ingredients, transparent business practices, progressive values, and thoughtfully crafted food. After four years of growth, Herb & Honey moved into its current home at 516 Cherry Street in Erie's West Bayfront, opening the new location in February 2025.

While many bakeries focus solely on their products, Herb & Honey's mission extends beyond baked goods. It prioritizes local ingredients, dignified wages, inclusivity, and partnerships with other businesses and nonprofits. The bakery has supported organizations and causes, including Compton's Table, Western Pennsylvania Fund for Choice, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, and local mutual aid efforts such as Erie's Little Free Food Pantries.

As an openly queer-owned business, Herb & Honey serves as an affirming space for the LGBTQIA+ community. The bakery houses a Little Queer Library with books for children and adults by queer authors, as well as books about LGBTQ+ experiences. Schultz also incorporates social justice, LGBTQ+ history, and community issues into the bakery's weekly newsletter and social media. In 2025, Herb & Honey was recognized with Compton's Table's Safe Space of the Year Award.

The bakery also hosts "See You Next Tuesday," a grassroots mutual aid group that meets on the last Tuesday of each month to organize around food access, advocacy, and other community concerns. Intentionality guides every aspect of the business. That dedication has resonated with customers, helping the bakery earn Best Bakery, Best Breads, and Best Pastries honors in the Erie Reader's Best Of poll.

Herb & Honey plans to participate in Celebrate Erie, collaborate with local organizations such as Werner Books, and continue growing its community impact. Whether visitors stop in for a pastry, browse the Little Queer Library, or attend a community meeting, they'll find more than a bakery. They'll find a welcoming space built on connection, intention, and care.

For more information, visit Herb & Honey Bakery at 516 Cherry Street, subscribe to their newsletter at herbandhoneybakery.com, or follow them on Instagram @herb.and.honey.erie.