Meet Holly Griffith | Birdy’s Bagels Owner & Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Holly Griffith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Holly, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor and entire reason for any success behind this business is simply the people who support it. That is a very general statement, however it couldn’t be more true. “The people” starts with all who supported me early on, encouraged me with positivity and also blunt honesty. The people who saw something in what was being built and wanted to work with me and help me make it a reality. The small business owners who have opened their spaces and given advice to me from their experience. And obviously the only reason it continues is the people who make up our wonderful customer base.

Prior to Birdy’s I worked in coffee shops for about 10 years and I have never experienced a customer base that is this kind, encouraging, and full of light. My friends and fellow coworkers who have helped me run the pop-ups on the weekends echo a similar sentiment. We leave the day feeling like we simply just had a lot of fun, and it feels like the customers do too. They wait generously in long lines and encourage us throughout the experience. It is really something special, and I’m honestly not sure how it organically created itself.

Without any of these people, none of this is possible, and that fact is not lost on me. I hope this sliver of light continues to grow and we all just keep having a little fun.

What should our readers know about your business?
Birdy’s for me feels like a very long journey of hard work, discovery, frustration, and passion coming to fruition. I didn’t always dream of making bagels, but I have always found myself in non-conventional jobs that have a creative component to them, and are centered around people.

I think what sets my business apart is a foundation of being present with people. Through that, you can learn in a deeper way, make them feel seen because they are, and have a meaningful moment in an otherwise mundane act of grabbing breakfast.

Birdy’s started as a hobby, a new skill to learn, a yummy treat I could share with my friends, and very quickly it became a meditative practice of shaping the bagels. That practice evolved into a way of connecting with others, and after that it became something I never imagined possible.

I am most proud of simply continuing to show up. I am truly surprised every time we have an event and there is a line. I keep showing up, my support system keeps showing up, and the customers do as well. It is no small thing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Wow! How fun, I actually have a friend coming in town soon, but I’m a huge home body so I’ll give you my perfect day with some honorable mentions.

We’d start with fresh bagel sandwiches at the house obviously, then over to Cafe Momento for coffee. On a nice day we would go to The Botanical Gardens or if it is too hot check out one of the many museums. I usually gravitate towards The Modern, or the Kimbell Museum. For lunch we would have to hit Gustos for the best burgers in town! I love going to Recluse Books to see what selection they have or what they are reading for their book club. Once books have been selected we will walk over to The Holly wine bar to read and enjoy some natural wine. We could stay for dinner for pizza made by Nappotex, or if we are feeling sushi head over to Tokyo Cafe. Depending on energy levels at this point, either end the night with one last cocktail at The Usual or dance and drink at The Down N Out Bar.

Other days would consist of baking and grabbing more coffee!
Race Street Coffee and Portico have amazing patios, Coffee Folk, Ostara, Cherry
Other things I’d do… go to Doc’s Records for records and vintage, antique malls, Nativo Gardens for native plants, or plurge on a facial at Frida Beauty Collective.

My usual days off are spent going hiking at the Nature Center and supporting my other pop up based friends: Squoze, ChefJessBakes, La Fortuna Bakeshop, and Horsecharm.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
TOO many people deserve this shout out, as they say it takes a village. Above all, the biggest shout out goes to my mom. She retired from her career to become my unpaid assistant baker and has always told me it’s going to work out. I would not have been able to grow it to the level it is at without her.

Second, to Aaron at Race Street Coffee for asking to sell them when it wasn’t a thought in my mind. Without his encouragement and this opportunity I never would have tried selling them.

Website: https://birdysbagels.square.site

Instagram: @birdysbagels

Image Credits
Dream Street Photography
Michelle Raymond
Aaron Latchaw