Bread + Butter: Olivia Morrison plots shock US expansion

After surviving the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, 2022 is proving to be an annus mirabilis for a renowned bakery, which opened its second local cafe and now plans to go global.

The co-owner of a top bakery and butter manufacturer which opened its second Tasmanian cafe earlier this year has announced shock plans to now open a third store in Los Angeles.

Olivia Morrison, who owns Launceston institution Bread + Butter alongside husband Rob, told the Mercury the last few years had been challenging but she was excited to reveal the couple’s plans.

“The month before the Australian borders were shut down, we spent a few weeks in California on the way back from a trip to Costa Rica, where we spent time on a coffee farm learning about the source of the magical black liquid we sell much of,” she said.

“During our time there, we fell in love with the food culture and access to amazing produce, mirroring what we saw in Tasmania when we moved down from Sydney in 2013.

Olivia Morrison, owner of beloved Launceston bakery Bread + Butter. Picture: Supplied/ Ness Vanderburgh

“It’s been a very rough few years for us with everything happening in the world plus the move from Cimitere St (in March, to make way for the St.LukesHealth head office development).

“So as soon as travel was back on the cards, we knew we should head over here to Los Angeles... we have been here since June.”

After enjoying a well-deserved break, the Morrisons flew over Bread + Butter’s GM Alex Lyons for an “intensive” two-week study tour.

“We ate our way across the United States, travelling 5,000 miles through 11 states,” Ms Morrison said.

The Morrisons are currently in Europe visiting friends and natural wine producers in Italy and Slovenia.

A sweet pastry from Bread + Butter. Picture: Scott Atkins/ Lusy Productions.

Their adventures will serve as an entree to the main course: bringing the rich, flaky pastries Launceston (and the North East – Bread + Butter Lilydale opened in January, with plans to expand the store currently before council) to the US West Coast.

“Once back in the US, we plan on working hard to arrange all the logistics required to open an operation on the other side of the world,” Ms Morrison said.

“We have connected with the restaurant and baking community in LA along with the team at Proud Mary, Melbourne coffee roasters that opened in Portland in 2012.

“Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive.

“I will also do recipe testing to bring back some new products for our counter at Bread + Butter Princes Square.

“It’s all very exciting. We look forward to the challenges and the opportunity to bring our products to LA and, in turn, bring something back to the Launceston community.”