Our story
We believe that it’s the shared love of craft that makes our bakery and team so special.
Our
history
Baking is our kraft. From the breads shaped by our very hands to the dishes we serve, we thrive on nourishing the appetite with only the finest ingredients. Our fresh baked breads are truly artisan in their beautifully imperfect shapes.
The Kraftsmen bakery is located in a historic textile mill in the Houston Heights. It is a testament to our passion in being surrounded and inspirred by history, design, and art.
2001
Founder Scott Tycer meets Mike Zakowski—head baker at Itzi’s—at a chocolate tasting in the Heights. Tycer’s restaurant Aries had just opened. Because it was limited on kitchen space, table bread from a local artisan bakery was used. Mike and Scott found they could bake higher quality bread , so they opened Kraftsmen Baking together as a small retail location at 4100 Montrose and a wholesale location on Roy street in the Rice Military neighborhood.
2003
Mike Zakowski sold his shares back to Kraftsmen and moved to Sonoma where he could train for the US Bread Baking team under master baker, Craig Ponsford.
2008
Wholesale facilities move to the historic Heights, in a charming old building called “the Oriental Textile Mill”. The building appealed to Scott because of its age and location in one of Houston’s oldest neighborhoods.
2010
Juan Carlos Ramirez becomes the Head Baker. Juan had worked for Kraftsmen through out its history, having been a protégé of Mike Zakowski. The same year, a second Kraftsmen café opens in the same building.
2020
In 2020, Kraftsmen Baking has more than 200 accounts from Houston, Galveston, and Austin.
2023
…and beyond!
2001
Founder Scott Tycer meets Mike Zakowski—head baker at Itzi’s—at a chocolate tasting in the Heights. Tycer’s restaurant Aries had just opened. Because it was limited on kitchen space, table bread from a local artisan bakery was used. Mike and Scott found they could bake higher quality bread , so they opened Kraftsmen Baking together as a small retail location at 4100 Montrose and a wholesale location on Roy street in the Rice Military neighborhood.
2003
Mike Zakowski sold his shares back to Kraftsmen and moved to Sonoma where he could train for the US Bread Baking team under master baker, Craig Ponsford.
2008
Wholesale facilities move to the historic Heights, in a charming old building called “the Oriental Textile Mill”. The building appealed to Scott because of its age and location in one of Houston’s oldest neighborhoods.
2010
2020
2023
Our Team
Scott Tycer
Founder
Taylor Yancey
Sales Manager
Jeremy Scott
Sales Manager
Juan Carlos
Master Baker
Community
We believe in doing our part to make sure that the local community is taken care of. Throughout the year, we contribute to various causes.