About
A Portland bakery built on one question
Standard Baking Co. is a family-founded artisan bakery that Alison Pray and Matt James opened in Portland, Maine in 1995.
Standard Baking Co. started with a single baguette baked for a local restaurant and grew into a waterfront bakery on Commercial Street. It remains independently owned, bakes traditional European breads and pastries every morning, and is a James Beard Award finalist. This site exists to help locals and visitors find it.
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Who owns Standard Baking Co. in Portland, Maine?
Standard Baking Co. began as a small family owned business started by Alison Pray and Matt James. Early in their relationship, a trip to France showed them the elegance of traditional bread and classic pastry, and the role a baker plays in every town.
Alison went on to learn as much as she could about European baking, from a Boston bakery apprenticeship in naturally leavened bread to time in a baker's guild studying slow fermentation.
“Why can't we walk down the street at home and get really good food?”
From a pizza oven to Commercial Street
- Before 1995Alison Pray and Matt James study traditional bread and pastry in France. Alison apprentices at a Boston bakery to learn naturally leavened bread.
- 1995Standard Baking Co. bakes its first traditional French baguette, in a pizza oven, for a local restaurant in Portland.
- NextThe smell of fresh bread keeps bringing in customers, and the bakery expands into 75 Commercial Street.
- TodayA James Beard Award finalist with over 15 full time bakers, drivers, retail sellers and office staff, serving about 1,000 customers a week.
What stays the same
The bakery has grown, but the priorities have not. Standard sources the most organic and local ingredients it can: eggs and dairy from small local farmers, seasonal fruit and berries, and organic nuts. Breads use Maine-grown heritage grains where possible.
Its work has been featured in Old Port magazine, DownEast magazine and the Boston Globe. Read more about the methods on the our approach page.
Working at Standard
The bakery hires passionate bakers and retail staff. Benefits listed for full time bakers include health insurance, tip sharing, paid vacation, a 401k and free bread and pastries.
About the bakery
See all questions in the FAQWho started Standard Baking Co.?
Alison Pray and Matt James started Standard Baking Co. as a small family owned business in Portland, Maine in 1995. After time in France learning about traditional bread and pastry, Alison apprenticed at a Boston bakery to learn naturally leavened bread. The bakery is independently owned and now has over 15 full time bakers, drivers, retail sellers and office staff.
How long has Standard Baking Co. been open?
Standard Baking Co. has been baking in Portland since 1995. That year it baked its first traditional French baguette in a pizza oven for a local restaurant. When the smell of fresh bread kept bringing people to the door, the founders expanded into the current location at 75 Commercial Street.
Has Standard Baking Co. won any awards?
Yes. Standard Baking Co. is a James Beard Award finalist, a national honor in American food from the James Beard Foundation. The bakery has also been featured in regional press including Old Port magazine, DownEast magazine and the Boston Globe, which is part of why visitors often find it when planning a trip to Portland.
Where is Standard Baking Co. located?
Standard Baking Co. is at 75 Commercial Street, Portland, Maine 04101, on the Portland waterfront in the Old Port. Commercial Street runs along the harbor, so the bakery is an easy walk for anyone exploring the waterfront. The Visit page links to Google Maps directions, and the bakery phone number is 207-773-2112.
Why is Portland, Maine so famous?
Portland, Maine is famous for its working harbor, the historic brick buildings of the Old Port, nearby lighthouses and an outsized food scene for a small city. Its bakeries draw visitors too, including Standard Baking Co., a James Beard Award finalist on Commercial Street.
Back to the guide to the best bakery in Portland, Maine
Taste what started it
A slow fermented baguette is $4.50. Come try one at 75 Commercial Street.