About Us
We’re a Cottage Food-permitted micro-bakery located in the Arden-Arcade area. All of our foods are prepared in my home kitchen under Permit No. PR156121-A issued by the Sacramento County EMD. Each package label will have a list of ingredients and possible allergens.
We’ll be offering yeast breads, sweet delights, bialys, dried pasta, and preserves. You’ll be able to purchase sourdough loaves each Saturday (weather-permitting) from Bread by Beth. Also on some Saturdays, you’ll find gluten-free items from Just Gluten Free Kitchens.
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Back in 2019, my husband and I opened Capital Books in Downtown Sacramento. I had always wanted to open a cafe or wine bar on the bookstore’s second floor. I wanted it to feel like you stepped back in time to the Roaring Twenties in Miami Beach. When we discovered that there’d be no way to put in an elevator (an ADA requirement), our hopes of building a food/beverage cafe up there were dashed. But I did move forward with creating what we call the Flamingo Lounge that overlooks K Street, which is the look and feel I originally intended the whole floor to be. We hold events up there.
In 2021, a space down from the bookstore became available. My husband said, “Heidi, you like to cook. Let’s open a board game cafe.” I said “Absolutely not.” Then he signed the lease, and I found myself in uncharted territory. I learned a lot in the nearly three years that we had the cafe and made some really wonderful new friends out of customers. But we just couldn’t get it profitable. Not to mention it sucked the soul out of me. We closed it in November 2023. I have mixed feelings of absolute failure and relief.
They say never hire family, and we’ve hired and fired the same kids of ours over and over. LOL. But one of them stood out – my daughter-in-law, Abbey. She started helping me with baking and cooking for catered events at both the cafe and bookstore. She’s such an amazing cook and baker.
I wanted to spend the months following the cafe closure being still and waiting for inspiration to strike me. That’s when I stumbled upon Cottage Foods micro-bakeries. I knew about Cottage Foods, but never needed that type of license for the cafe. Everything was being made in-house there. It was the first time I felt like this was something I wanted to do for myself.
It was only natural that Abbey help me get Crust and Crumb off the ground and contribute her yummy baked goods as she has time for (she has a FT job). She and I recently resurrected tea parties at Capital Books, and we love doing them.
We look forward to meeting you!
~Heidi & Abbey~
Meet the Bakers
Hi, I’m Heidi, and I’m the co-owner of Capital Books and the former There and Back Cafe. While my husband and our team run the day-to-day book/author operations of Capital Books, I remain involved in catering bookstore events, tea parties, and store space rentals.
I’m a graphic designer by trade, but I’ve loved baking and cooking since I was a little kid. I learned to make pasta from my paternal grandmother and mother (who learned from grandma). I’d frequently come home to furniture and beds being covered in sheets with noodles drying. I’ve evolved to using a handy vertical drying rack.
My baking skills complement the things that my daughter-in-law Abbey is good at making, and visa versa. You’ll be seeing breads, pastries, and cookies from me.
Abbey and I have worked together for the last 3 years in catering events and putting on tea parties at the bookstore. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and baking for you.
If you’re interested in attending one of our tea parties, keep an eye out for those announcements on the Capital Books WEBSITE or INSTAGRAM.
Hi, I’m Abbey! Baking and cooking have always been a source of joy for me—there’s something magical about transforming simple ingredients into something warm, comforting, and delicious. I pour my love for art and learning into every creation, always striving to perfect my craft. I’m incredibly tenacious and hardworking—qualities that come in handy when perfecting a loaf of bread or mastering a delicate pastry.
When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll find me with a book in hand (mostly literary fiction), spending time with my wonderful husband, James, and our two amazing children, Oliver and Norah. I also love watercoloring and writing!
At Crust and Crumb, I believe in measuring with the heart, using quality ingredients, and bringing people together through the simple joy of good food. My personal favorites? Chocolate babka and anything with lots of almond extract!
Thank you for supporting our little bakery dream—I hope you love the results as much as we love the creative process!