Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 20, 1993 TAG: 9307200018
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
So when the orchestra recently chose new members through national auditions and he didn't make the cut, Hartman decided to go for the dough. This week, Hartman opens On the Rise, his new bakery on Campbell Avenue in downtown Roanoke.
"It's a big risk, but it's like Christmas. Only I'm the kid and Santa," Hartman said.
On the Rise, which will be the City Market district's second bakery, will feature European-style breads, a couple of sweets and some sandwiches, said Hartman. Hartman will commute between his new shop and his family in Alexandria, where his wife is an art teacher in Fairfax County schools.
He said he originally wanted to open the bakery in Northern Virginia, but there already were too many bakeries there - plus he couldn't find a location where the rent was reasonable.
He checked out Charlottesville. But, "I had friends who liked Roanoke, so I came here," he said.
Hartman said he had never been to Roanoke until mid-March, when he came looking for a site and found the vacant downtown storefront.
He said he has been studying bread-making, on his own and by working in a couple of bakeries for brief periods since 1988. That year, he worked for a Washington, D.C., restaurant that baked its own bread.
He read up on the subject and, in 1991, started touring bakeries, "so, in case I decided to do this, I'd have the skills."
In addition to the retail business, Hartman said he will try to develop commercial customers and already has some restaurants that are interested.
He has hired two people to run the shop, which will be open Tuesday through Saturday.
Hartman said he hopes to be able to stay in Northern Virginia three days a week to spend time with his family and to continue performing with the Washington Chamber Symphony.
by CNB