Top Wilston bakery to close forever after flood woes

One of Brisbane’s best bakeries has announced that it will not reopen after huge equipment and stock losses in February’s flood, with the owners saying they were “at a loss for words”.

One of Brisbane’s best bakeries, Crust & Company in Wilston in the inner-north, will close forever after being smashed in February’s floods.

Opened on a quiet, semi-industrial backstreet next to a mechanic, it soon had loyal customers prepared to travel from as far as the Sunshine Coast hinterland to savour its artisan French bread and pastries.

The bakery, opened in a historic brick warehouse in 2013 by Sebastien Pisasale, is in the Enoggera Creek flood zone.

Imported, specialist French-made baking equipment worth hundreds of thousands was lost.

It is believed the business, which rented the space, was not insured for flood damage.

Crust and Co bakery at Wilston will not reopen after massive flood damage in February.

Most days it was difficult to find a car park near the bakery. A trickle of customers has still been turning up, to this week, only to find it had closed in February.

“There’s so much to say in order to cover off the last nine years’’, the new owners posted on Monday.

“However, after much deliberation, reflection and careful consideration of our circumstances, we have decided to not rebuild Crust & Company.

“This blank space was stared at for quite some time, at a loss for words to convey the message to our community.

Sebastien Pisasale founded Crust and Company in 2013.

“Thank you all so very much for being a part of our journey of baked deliciousness.

“Unfortunately we won’t have the opportunity to say goodbye, to have that final chat or share stories once again.

“We wish to express our gratitude, from the entire team, for the support we received from our wider community.

“Support by way of patronage, in generosity during our most difficult of times and for championing our products.

“For our close neighbours and all others who suffered damage during the floods, we trust that you are recovering from the destruction that was — it’s a long path. Take care and thank you.’’

Crust and Company’s traditional French-style products had a massive, loyal fan base. Picture: Ric Frearson

Customers and neighbours chipped in to help immediately after the flood, loaning pressure cleaners and offering to dispose of rotting food.

The bakery, named by The Courier-Mail last year as one of the 10 best in Brisbane, started as a wholesaler before literally opening its side door for retail (off the street) customers, who soon began lining up for their fix.

Many of its bakers were trained in France in traditional methods.