King Arthur Flour might ring a bell to those who’ve ever strolled a baking aisle at your local grocer. It’s known for its iconic cream and red flour bags with a crown logo, synonymous with American flour. The now Vermont-based brand got its roots in Boston as America’s first flour company.
History of King Arthur Flour
In 1790 Boston a gentleman named Henry Wood began importing flour from England, establishing Henry Wood & Company at Boston’s Long Wharf. Henry Wood & Company became America’s first flour company, New England’s first food company, and the original ancestor of what’s now King Arthur Flour.
In 1820, King Arthur Flour stopped importing English flour, and switched to making flour from American-milled wheat. With flour as a cornerstone to the American diet, King Arthur Flour was an integral ingredient in the development of many milestone food products including America’s first apple pie, sourdough bread, pecan pie and chocolate chip cookies.
The company was named The Sands, Taylor, & Wood Company until 1896 when it introduced its flour 2.0 at the Boston Food Fair and took on the name King Arthur Flour to highlight the company’s dedication to a higher purpose. After two centuries in Boston, King Arthur Flour moved to Norwich, Vermont in 1984.
A new chapter begins
A return to Boston marks a new chapter in King Arthur Flour’s history, bringing all the wholesome treats and baking essentials to one storefront. This is the first modern-day brick and mortar in Boston for King Arthur Flour.
The shop is a pop-up, so it’s only open from October 3, 2024 through December 31, 2024, but perfect for your gifting needs.
Pop-up shops provide a unique opportunity to engage directly with the community, share our passion for baking, and offer a curated selection of baking essentials, gifts, and tools,” says Bill Tine, Chief Marketing Officer at King Arthur Baking Company. “We aim to strengthen our relationship with customers through hands-on education, inspiration, and community involvement, making baking accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
King Arthur Flour has only one permanent storefront, a flagship in Norwich, Vermont which also houses a baking education center. The second King Arthur Flour baking education center resides at Washington State University Breadlab in Skagit Valley.
Find King Arthur Flour Boston through December 31, 2024
10 AM- 7 PM daily (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas day)
172 Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116