Crust Baking Co. Announces New location in Howell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CRUST a baking co. Announces New retail & café location in Howell, Mi Opening First Quarter 2027
Michigan artisan bakery prepares to open its second location in downtown Howell, bringing handcrafted breads, pastries, café favorites and nearly 15 years of baking tradition to Livingston County.
HOWELL, Mich. — September 28, 2026   CRUST a baking co., the Fenton-based artisan bakery known for handcrafted breads, pastries and scratch-made food, is excited to announce plans to open a new retail outlet and café in downtown Howell during the first quarter of 2027.
The expansion comes nearly 15 years after CRUST first opened its doors in Fenton on February 1, 2012. What began as a local artisan bakery has since grown into a multifaceted food business serving customers throughout the region while remaining independently owned and committed to its Michigan roots.  The new CRUST location will be located at 203 W. Grand River Avenue in downtown Howell and represents an important next chapter for the company.
For owners Chad and Marybeth Brennan, the decision to expand to Howell is about much more than finding the right building or entering a new market. Chad grew up in Hartland and Marybeth in Fenton, giving them deep roots in the Livingston County area and a longstanding connection to Howell and the surrounding communities.
A Natural Next Step for CRUST
Since opening its doors on February 1, 2012, CRUST has remained committed to traditional baking methods, quality ingredients, handcrafted food and genuine hospitality.
Over the years, CRUST has grown from an artisan bakery into a multifaceted food business serving customers through its Fenton bakery/restaurant and café, Flint Farmers’ Market location, e-commerce site, wholesale partnerships and other retail channels.
The Howell location will build upon that foundation while creating an experience tailored specifically for the downtown Howell community.
Guests can expect the artisan breads and pastries that have defined CRUST, along with café offerings, thoughtfully prepared food and a welcoming environment designed to become a gathering place for residents, downtown employees and visitors alike.
Investing in Downtown Howell
CRUST's expansion represents a significant investment in downtown Howell and Livingston County. The company plans to renovate and transform the Grand River Avenue property into a bakery and café that complements the character and energy of downtown.
The expansion will also create new employment opportunities as CRUST builds its Howell team ahead of opening.
“Our goal has never been simply to open more locations,” Brennan said. “Growth has to make sense for our people, our company and the community we're entering. We believe Howell checks every one of those boxes. We want to build something that will become part of the community and be here for a very long time.”
CRUST selected Howell following years of observing the community's growth, strong local economy, vibrant downtown and commitment to locally owned businesses. The company believes the combination of Howell's residents, surrounding Livingston County communities and growing downtown activity provides an ideal environment for CRUST's next chapter.
More Than a Second Location
While Howell will introduce CRUST to many new guests, the company intends to maintain the craftsmanship and personal connection that have been central to its identity since the beginning.
Construction and development work will continue throughout the remainder of 2026, with CRUST targeting an opening during the first quarter of 2027.
Additional announcements regarding the opening date, hiring opportunities, menu, community partnerships and grand-opening events will be shared as the project progresses.
Media Contact:
Marketing@crustandbeyond.com