The Daily Bread: Vest’s latest venture
Garrick Vest's goal for "The Daily Bread" is to provide more than bakery serving breakfast, lunch and specialized coffees. "A gathering place where people can just hang out and spend time together," is what he strives for when he opens the doors at 123 North Main Street in Enterprise each day.
June 1 marked the first anniversary of the bakery. This is the third business venture the Enterprise High School alumni is operating on Main Street in the City of Progress.
"I always had an entrepreneurial spirit," Vest said with a smile, taking a moment to reflect on his trio of operations. "I started a lawn company in Daleville when I was nine years old. It was called 'Mow for Dough.' I ran an ad on the cable tv and my granddad helped me.
"I had about 25 yards and I ran that until I was about 16 and got a job," said Vest. I was in the co-op program in high school. I've always worked. Growing up if I wanted something I had to earn money for it. I learned the value of hard work."
Vest opened the Weevil Nut Company at 107 North Main Street in 2019. "Our best friends own the Boll Weevil Soap Company next door and when a part of that building was coming up for lease, my wife and I agreed it was time. I always wanted to work for myself," he said.
Years ago, Sessions Peanut Company sold peanuts at their operation downtown but as Enterprise entered the centennial year celebration of the city's renowned Boll Weevil Monument in 2019, a centralized place to buy peanuts wasn't around. "Part of my mantra is 'find a need and fill it," Vest said. "So, my wife and I started Weevil Nut Company." The company celebrates its fifth anniversary this month.
Vest began by experimenting with a variety of seasoned peanut flavors and has expanded the nut inventory into pecans, cashews, almonds and so much more. The store carries local souvenirs, salsa, barbecue sauces, jams and jellies. The No. 1 selling peanut flavor seller is Zesty Dill. The Weevil Nut Company is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The store can be contacted at (334) 347-6887.
The Vests opened Main Street Candy Company in 2022. Nostalgic candy, truffles, macaroons, and homemade fudge of all flavors are available at the store located at 120 South Main Street. Novelty candy, bulk candy and freeze-dried candy are available as is soft serve ice cream. The store can be contacted at (334) 475-3361.
Vest said he and his wife originally bought The Daily Bread building to move the Weevil Nut company into. Through a variety of circumstances, the building became vacant during Vest's busiest season, and he couldn't relocate the nut store. "We prayed hard seeking God's guidance on what was best for our next venture," Vest said, adding that resulted in the inspiration for the concept as a homey gathering place. "The name comes from the spiritual aspect of its origin," he added. "Prayer has always started it all."
The Daily Bread sandwiches incorporate some of the items from the Weevil Nut Company. "On our Figgy Piggy sandwich—comprised of ham, bacon, Havarti Cheese and spring mix—we use our fig jam. The Wildcat Club—comprised of ham, turkey, bacon, cheddar, Swiss Cheese, bacon, lettuce, and tomato— has our bacon jam," he said. "One of our best sellers is our house-made Chicken Salad Croissant that includes cranberries, candied pecans from the Weevil Nut Company."
The items in The Daily Bread bakery are rotated daily. "We make everything in-house. Cheesecakes are one of our best sellers," he said. The Daily Bread is now offering catering services.
There is a full coffee bar—hot, cold, and frozen, Vest said. Lotus Energy drinks are also offered.
The Daily Bread is open Mondays through Saturdays and can be contacted at (334) 475-2033.
"We really wanted to bring things to the downtown area to keep people here," Vest said. "We wanted downtown to be a place for people to come visit and not have to leave."
Staff Writer
