Bringing artisanal bread to Oyster Bay

Provisions Bread & Cheese, a new bakery and cheese shop on Main Street, has quickly become a local favorite, offering a range of freshly baked breads and an eclectic selection of cheeses from around the world. The shop, which opened to the public two weeks ago, is the latest venture of the Lush Life Group, a restaurant collective with several successful establishments in the area, including 2 Spring and Gioia.

Jesse Schenker, a partner in Lush Life Group and the head chef at the company’s restaurants, explained that the idea for Provisions came from both a need to be busy and a need for fresh bread.

“During the pandemic in March 2020, when everything shut down, I couldn’t sit still. I went down to the kitchen and taught myself how to make sourdough,” Schenker said. “That original starter has been fed every 12 hours since then, and it’s the base for all our breads today.”

The bakery’s offerings include naturally fermented sourdough, whole wheat, and rye breads, all made with organic, non-GMO flour. The bakery also produces laminated brioche, focaccia, and sesame sourdough, which are supplied to Lush Life’s restaurants and now available for retail at Provisions.

“Our breads are fresh with no preservatives, so they might stale within 24 hours if left uncovered,” Schenker explained. “But when you eat them, you feel good.”

Beyond bread, Provisions aims to bring a unique selection of cheeses to the community. The shop also stocks condiments, mustards, pickles, dried sausage, and high-quality butters, including imported French butter and local Vermont Creamery butter, making it a one-stop shop for gourmet provisions.

“We wanted to give the community a large variety of cheeses from all over the world, not just the standard offerings you find in supermarkets,” Schenker said.

Provisions Bread & Cheese is designed to serve the community’s needs throughout the day. From 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., customers can stop in for a croissant and coffee. Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., the shop offers artisanal sandwiches, and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., customers can pick up fresh bread, cheese, and other provisions for dinner.

The shop is the first phase of a larger project, with plans for Provisions Market and Table, which will offer rotisserie chickens, pre-prepared foods, and a range of retail items, including tableware and artisanal jewelry. Schenker emphasized the importance of supporting the local community.

“There’s definitely a European essence to being able to walk into town and grab a piece of cheese, a fresh loaf of bread, or some coffee,” he said. “Oyster Bay is becoming its own ecosystem, where you can find almost everything you need without leaving town.”

Provisions Bread & Cheese is open seven days a week, providing a new culinary experience for Oyster Bay residents and visitors alike. For more information on their hours and products, visit ProvisionsOysterBay.com.