In a quiet little spot next to the Yamba Bowlo, something special has been baking—literally. Welcome to 44A Bread, where artisanal loaves, sandwiches and stories come together in the most delicious way possible. It’s the brainchild of Jack, a bread aficionado who turned a passion into a local legend, with a little help from his friends, family and some very understanding neighbours.

Jack’s bread journey began over a decade ago, perfecting his craft one crumb at a time. When he and his partner Zan moved to Yamba four years ago, it didn’t take long for the smell of freshly baked bread to waft around the neighbourhood. It started small—batches for friends, family, and a couple of cafes. Then, with one fateful Yamba market stall and a whole lot of dough (pun intended), 44A Bread started to rise.

But turning a bread obsession into a full-blown bakery was no easy feat. Jack partnered with his friend Louisa, who commandeered the front of their now iconic building as an architect's studio, while Jack transformed the back into a bakery. The early days were a mix of passion, patience, and problem-solving as Jack juggled small-scale bread production with the slow grind of saving for equipment and modifying the space.

For a year, Fridays at 44A Bread became a thing—Jack baking like a madman in the back and Zan charming customers in the front window. Together, they built a community of devoted carb-lovers, with loaves flying out the door faster than you could say “sourdough starter.”

The demand was too much for one man and one oven, so Jack levelled up. He brought on two more bakers, doubled down on production, and expanded the menu. Now open five days a week (Tuesday to Saturday), 44A Bread has become a haven for breadheads, sandwich lovers and anyone who appreciates a solid sourdough. And yes, there are cold drinks too—because bread this good needs a proper pairing.

Today, the 44A Bread crew is a team of four and Jack couldn’t be prouder. Sure, there are challenges (bread-making at scale isn’t for the faint-hearted), but the joy of creating something that brings people together makes it all worthwhile.

So, if you haven’t yet paid a visit to 44A Bread, do yourself a favour. Grab a loaf, devour a sandwich, and soak up the vibes of a place where hard work, good friends and a little yeast have created magic. Just make sure to get there early—this bread doesn’t sit around for long.

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44a Bread

Tuesday—Saturday 7.30—2.30. 44a Wooli St, Yamba.