Thornberry's Family Business: A Journey Through Generations Our Origin: My name is Esther Jackson (Thornberry), and I'm proud to share our family's bakery story. It all began when my grandfather, Joseph Carroll Thornberry, embarked on his business venture back in 1936. He set up shop at Park Blvd and Adair in Louisville, Kentucky. Fast forward to 1944, he made a pivotal move by purchasing the property at 5103 South 3rd Street, which became home to our beloved Thornberry's Pie Shop. A Legacy Continues: In 1945, my grandfather, fondly known as Granddad to us, ran a grocery in the front and a restaurant in the back. The year 1955 marked a significant change when the restaurant was moved to the front of the building. During 1958-1968, we delved into the wholesale pie business. Thornberry's pies found their way to hotels and restaurants in Louisville, thanks to a Sealtest milk driver who took orders on their routes. Passing the Torch: Our bakery legacy continued when my uncle, James Thornberry, known as Uncle Jim, joined the business while working at Winn-Dixie in Okolona. On January 1, 1979, Uncle Jim and, his wife, Aunt Jeanine took over the reins from Granddad. They operated the bakery until July 1, 2004, when Aunt Jeanine's health forced them to retire. An Unforeseen Twist: I eagerly anticipated taking over from Uncle Jim after working for him for over eight years. However, life had different plans, as I had to step back two years earlier than expected due to my responsibilities as a parent with two young children. Reuniting the Family Bakery: Uncle Jim sold the bakery to a family friend while retaining ownership of the property. For seven long years, Thornberry's wasn't in our family's hands. In July 2011, my brother, Kevin, with the unwavering support of our parents, brought the business back into the family. Uncle Jim resumed his pie-making duties, Kevin and i took charge of running and managing the business. We cherished the old recipes that had brought us success for so many years. Preserving Traditions: During our peak, we sold an astonishing 800 25-pound hams every holiday season, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. Business was booming, and we felt the warmth of our loyal customers. Challenges and Closure: In 2013, Kevin faced tough decision. Building insurance required Kevin to purchase and install expensive suppression systems that "Mom and Pop" shops can't afford. We had to close our doors. Dedication : Despite the challenges, Esther fulfilled our commitments for wedding cakes that had already been ordered but were needed after our closure. My dedication to our customers and our family's legacy remained unwavering. For years, i have kept the Thornberry's Bakery name out there, trying to revive the bakery that has been a passion most of my life. A New Year: Thornberry’s moved into Harbor House of Louisville at 2233 Lower Hunters Trace next to Incarnation Church. We moved into the beautiful new facility in March of 2024 so that our profits could benefit a magnificent organization that cares for an intergenerational community that empowers individuals of all ages, abilities and aspirations by providing opportunities through innovative vocational, health, and education services. Thornberry’s wants to give back to the community and the people that supported us our entire lives and we feel this organization is where we can make a difference. Come and support Thornberry’s Bakery at Harbor House of Louisville. Holiday Tradition: During the holidays, we receive incredible support from friends and family who come back to work with us, helping us through our busiest times of the year. Thank you for being a part of our Thornberry's family bakery journey. We look forward to serving you and creating delicious memories together.