SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2022 | NEWSLEADER.
COM
Staunton News Leader - 10/23/2022
Reunion Bakery and Espresso owner Bryan Hollar preps prosecco poached pear and
pistachio Frangipane Galette in this file photo. “With all these milestone’s afoot, this
seems like a good opportunity to announce that I am selling Reunion Bakery,” Hollar
posted on his personal Facebook page. LAURA PETERS PHOTOS/STAUNTON NEWS LEADER
Reunion Bakery
sold to new owner
Unnamed buyers plan to
maintain same model
for Staunton favorite
Laura Peters
Staunton News Leader
USA TODAY NETWORK
STAUNTON — Reunion Bakery and
Espresso in downtown Staunton is transi-
tioning to new ownership, according to Bry-
an Hollar, who started the business.
The bakery and espresso bar opened in
2017 on New Street. The pandemic forced
Hollar to rethink his business model —
keeping production to the weekends and al-
lowing for pre-ordering so they know how
much to produce.
Inspired by a bakery in the United King-
dom he follows on Instagram called North-
ern Rye, he saw they only operate twice a
week for pre-orders, then pick-ups. Hollar
thought, why not try that? He publishes a
menu during the week, allows for pre-orders
in order to know how much to make of each
product — along with some extra for walk-
up customers. There are limits and things do
sell out.
In 2021, 17% of Reunion’s sales were from
bread, Hollar said. Hollar has been working
70 to 80 hours a week, while paying himself
not that much, in order to keep overhead
costs low and still pay his workers. They
prep all week to be open Friday through Sun-
day, many of the products taking days worth
of work to be made.
He and his wife are expecting a baby, and
he said he wants to devote his time to be-
coming a new dad.
“With all these milestone’s afoot, this
seems like a good opportunity to announce
that I am selling Reunion Bakery,” Hollar
posted on his personal Facebook page.
He said his last day of ownership will be
Jan. 1, 2023. According to the post, the new
owner hopes to retain all the bakery staff
October 31, 2022 9:19 am (GMT -4:00)
PART OF THE
In 2021, 17% of Reunion’s sales were from
bread, said owner Bryan Hollar.
and stick with the products Hollar and staff
have been doing for the past several years.
He has agreed to spend January and Febru-
ary as a bakery consultant.
“I hope to see you all in my final ten or so
weeks running Reunion,” Hollar posted on
Reunion’s Facebook. “The bakery has been
successful beyond my wildest dreams and
has totally transformed my life.”
The new owner’s identity was not re-
leased.
Hollar and his stepfather Kirk Luder
bought the building in 2016 and spent up to
six figures renovating the space. Hollar has
used his own personal money, much of it left
by his late-grandmother, along with loans.
Hollar’s first inspiration for his coffee
shop’s vibe was while attending Columbia
University in New York City. He lived far
away from the library so he spent a lot of
time in tiny cafes.
See BAKERY, Page 2A
Powered by TECNAVIA
Page : A01
ELECTIONS 2022
Midte
could
tough
Va. De
Political climate h
since they helped
Will Weissert
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON – Momen
longtime Republican congre
Iowa Democrat Cindy Axne d
ton doesn’t have our back and
lot better.”
Now seeking a third term i
petitive House races, Axne is s
telling voters she’s delivered f
ington politicians bicker.”
But Axne and other Demo
2018 are campaigning in a m
environment this year. The
Trump’s presidency that their
more than 40 seats and rega
has eased. In its place is frust
my under President Joe Biden
In addition to Axne, Demo
nerable include Reps. Elissa
Tom Malinowski of New Jers
Virginia. Another Virginia D
Spanberger, as well as Reps.
Angie Craig of Minnesota and
sas all also may face tough re
And many districts that w
have been redrawn by Repub
legislatures to become more f
“It was a very different wor
said of 2018. “Inflation’s now
in 40 years and it affects eve
party in power. With campaig
‘But it could have been’ or ‘Bu
guy did.’ ”
Many swing-district Demo
ago were buoyed by college-e
ers, women and young people
means many defeats for seco
crats could be read as opposit
motivating voters in the same
former president could seek
See DEMOCRATS, Page 2A
U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria, D-2nd.
challenger Virginia State Sen
R-Virginia Beach, prepare for
by the Hampton roads Chamb
Oct. 12 in Virginia Beach. STEV
 t even if the 2018 House gations about pilots being forced to fly partment administrative law judge Scott
c class gets smaller this when they were fatigued, gaps in Del- Morris in New Jersey.
uld not look at one News
Staunton election
Leader - 10/23/2022 Page : A02
say the face of Congress is
to old, white men.”
cans, meanwhile, have 32
nominees and 23 Black
running for the House this
h party records. They say
ces of winning the cham-
rity are built more on high
d crime rates rising in some
Trump or last year’s insur-

ve a choice between com-

and crazy,” Republican Na-
mittee Chairwoman Ronna
said in a statement. “And
will vote for Republicans
wn the ballot as a result.”
mocrats’ 2018 House class
olve completely. Some in-
are seeking reelection in
districts, including Reps.
Ocasio-Cortez of New
McBath of Georgia and Col-
Texas, who was the class’
nt.
atic Michigan Rep. Haley
e other co-president, beat
8 Democratic House class
ndy Levin when the two in-
squared off in this year’s
c primary based on their
map.
mocratic 2018 House class
usted in 2020, former New
Max Rose, is now running to
o Congress. Another mem-
ersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew,
ecome a Republican.
Virginia Rep. Denver Riggle-
Republican elected in 2018
2020 GOP primary. Riggle-
appearing in a TV ad prais-
rger.
rying to change Congress
t work,” Riggleman says in
e puts country first.”
Reunion Bakery and Espresso opened in 2017 on New Street in downtown
Staunton. LAURA PETERS/STAUNTON NEWS LEADER
Bakery
Continued from Page 1A
Originally from Vermont, Hollar
went to school in New York City and at
one time thought about becoming a
lawyer. Then the recession happened.
He had previously traveled to France,
which sparked his love of bakeries and
pastry. That’s when he started diving
into the whole pastry business. He
sent out letters to pastry chefs and one
got back in touch with him. He started
in the lowest position and worked his
way up.
He worked at La Gourmandine in
Pittsburgh and then decided to break
out on his own. He previously had ba-
rista experience from his college days,
so he brought that on board, too.
“Thank you to all the customers and
community members who extended
their friendship and support,” the post
said. “Thank you to all the people who
have been so passionate about our
food.”
Reunion is located at 26 S. New St. in
Staunton. For more information visit its
Facebook page.
Laura Peters is the trending topics re-
porter at The News Leader. Have a news
tip on local trends or businesses? Or a
good feature? You can reach reporter
Laura Peters (she/her) at lpeters@new-
sleader.com. Follow her @peterslaura.
Subscribe to The News Leader at new-
sleader.com.

Join #TeamGannett Today!

Where working together creates greater opportunities, learning and growth!

What Fits You Best? Great Perks & Benefits

Sales IT Managed Time Off Tuition
Reimbursement
Marketing Production Employee Discounts
Telemedicine
Journalism Accounting Domestic Partner
October 31, 2022 9:19 am (GMT -4:00) Coverage Fitness Programs Powered by TECNAVIA