What happened
Dills said in a social media post that The Bearded Baking Company closed following his father’s passing on Jan. 7, to allow he and Lloyd to spend time with family.
“As some of you know, my dad—the guy that invented Pop’s Chicken Salad and the fella that taught me just about everything—was diagnosed with prostate cancer, as well as stage 4 liver cancer, in November,” Dill said in the post on Jan. 8. “He was always so proud of my little shop ... He only got to visit a few times, but he always felt right at home. Thank you all for your kindness and making both he and my mom feel welcomed here in Bastrop.”
Some background
Dills said in a previous interview with Community Impact that The Bearded Baking Company started with pop-up markets in Austin. After a while, He and Lloyd found an opportunity to take over a South Austin space, noting that it was then they began stretching their “savory legs” to include Southern comfort food. The couple took their next big step in April 2023 when they opened a brick-and-mortar on Bastrop’s Main Street.
What they offered
Using his favorite recipes curated from family and friends, the dishes were named after people who had a significant impact on Dills’ life.
Although they began by offering specially ordered and ready-made baked goods, they added a full savory menu in April 2024 to celebrate TBBC's one-year anniversary.
Notable quote
"Our time on Main Street, albeit brief, has been an amazing experience, but we’ve found ourselves in a situation where we just cannot continue to be in business anymore," Dills said in a social media post on Jan. 23. "Being able to serve Bastrop has been an opportunity of a lifetime, but not all things are meant to last."
- 1006 Main St., Bastrop
- www.thebeardedbakingcompany.com
