Order online for pickup in Franklin, TN and enjoy fresh bakery favorites today.
Our History
Merridee Erickson grew up on a family farm near Winthrop, Minnesota, where she baked breads, pies, and sweets alongside her mother. Saturday was always bread-baking day, and by age nine, Merridee was crafting most of the baked goods herself. She went on to study Food Business at the University of Minnesota, where she met her husband, Tom McCray. In 1973, Tom and Merridee moved to middle Tennessee.
Merridee began selling her fresh-baked goods from a small log cabin in Fairview in 1981. In the spring of 1984, an old hardware warehouse on Fourth Avenue—formerly a harness shop—became the home of Merridee's Breadbasket. It quickly grew into a beloved downtown gathering place. Merridee's warm hospitality and dedication to homemade, high-quality baked goods left a lasting legacy. She passed away in September 1994 after a courageous battle with cancer. Stroll downtown Franklin, and you'll find a tree at Five Points that honors her memory, celebrating her life, faith, and love.
Our Bakery Today
Today, Merridee's Breadbasket thrives under the care of owner Jim Kreider and an exceptional team of bakers, cooks, and friendly staff. Everything is still made from scratch the old-fashioned way—you won't find premade mixes here, only bags of flour, whole grains, eggs, sugar, and real creamery butter transformed into delicious breads, pies, cookies, and brownies every day. The bakery also offers a daily selection of homemade soups, quiches, and fresh salads, with something for every taste.
"It is a privilege to carry on the traditions and the heart of Merridee's Breadbasket," says Jim. "We take great pleasure in the way people enjoy their experience in this little hometown bakery."
Merridee's has been recognized far beyond Franklin, featured in Southern Living Magazine, on the Food Network's "Best of Baker's Show", and on Nashville Public Television's "Tennessee Crossroads". The bakery has also won the Sizzle Award from Southern Exposure Magazine and has been voted Best Bakery in Williamson County three years in a row.