Main Street Gourmet was launched in 1987 as a muffin shop, in Akron, Ohio, but later became a bakery wholesaler. In 1995, the company moved into a larger plant. In 2011, Clover bought a majority holding, and Main Street Gourmet recently added another 12,000 square feet to its HQ, which now has 160 employees. 

After Shore Capital Partners closed its first food/beverage fund, back in April of this year, the company started looking for a new baking company to support, and Main Street Gourmet fit their qualifications to a T. In September, they bought 100 percent of the bakery for an undisclosed sum.

"We love the custom artisan approach that Steve (Marks) and Harvey (Nelson) have created," Boos said, adding that Main Street Gourmet is the first investment for Shore's food and beverage fund. "They are very much a solution provider for their customers, and we think that is a much better way to compete than just on price."

Source: Crain's Cleveland Business, 10/27/19, "Equity firm satisfies sweet tooth with Main Street Gourmet"

Related: Foodservice bakery solutions