Today, the Bread Basket is a landmark for locals and tourists alike in the rolling hills of Southwestern Virginia, and it’s all thanks to the hard work, sweat, and tears of founder Alice “Missy” Yoder.
In 1998, Missy started out by herself in a fixed-up shed, but in just three short weeks, she was successful enough to hire her first employee.
In 2000, she married Clyde Bender from northern Virginia. Clyde moved to Floyd where he helped Missy with her burgeoning business, but it wasn’t long till he began a battle with cancer. Missy had cut back her hours at the Bread Basket to care for him, but he lost the battle and passed away in 2001.
If such a dark cloud could possibly claim a silver lining, Missy was able to expand her quickly-growing business with the money Clyde had left her.

During 2005 and 2006, the house and store, now located at 2167 Webbs Mill Road, N in Floyd, were built. In the years that followed, times were lean, and times were prosperous. The one thing that remained constant was that folks could rely on seeing Missy’s smiling face whenever they visited.
Time passed, and in 2015, Missy found happiness once again. Alvin Hochstetler was from Goshen Indiana, but after marrying Missy, he moved to Floyd where his new bride was still very involved in the day to day operations of the bakery. Alvin was happy to join in, helping with the maintenance and other odd jobs.

In October of 2015, Kathleen Dougherty joined the staff of the bakery. She caught on fast and quickly grew to enjoy her job. Originally from Hanover, Pennsylvania, Kathleen was the second oldest in a family nine children. She had worked in retail from the time she was sixteen, putting in hours at a bulk food store, a greenhouse, a butcher shop, and a produce market. In May of 2017, she began dating local boy, Ben Yoder, who had gone to New River Community College to be a machinist. After marrying Ben in February of 2018, Kathy dropped to part-time at the Bread Basket. After store-front manager, Nanette West, moved on to pursue health care full time, however, Missy asked Kathy if she would return to full time as Store Manager. After much deliberation, she consented.
Much time had passed. With the Bread Basket in capable hands, Alvin an Missy could think about the possibility of moving permanently to Indiana where they could be close to Alvin’s four married children and their families. The couple wanted to retire where they could be part of their lives, as well as the lives of the grandchildren.
For six months during the spring and summer of 2018, Al and Missy advertised the business for sale in “Plain News”. Unfortunately, there was no response.
On December 23, 2018, Al and Missy said goodbye to Floyd and to the Bread Basket; moving to Indiana to retire among those they loved. On Christmas Day, Ben and Kathy moved into the house above the bakery, having agreed to manage the business on a trial basis throughout 2019. It was new ground for the young couple. They wanted to see if they could handle it all, along with starting a family.
From the beginning, they prayed for guidance, hoping that God would send a sign if they should pursue it further. The blessings started pouring forth. When one staff left to pursue other dreams, God sent another seeking a job, and that person fit right in. Then God sent Nicholas Avery Yoder, born on August 15.
The entire staff did an amazing job keeping things running smoothly while Kathy became a new mother. The year was successful for the bakery, and there didn’t seem to be any roadblocks telling them to reconsider. In October, the Yoders consented to buy the business.

And it’s a commitment they don’t take lightly. Ben and Kathy are committed to continuing the quality and the atmosphere made famous by Missy over the years; being a ray of light and hope to all who enter the doors.
Family to family, neighbor to neighbor, everyone is important. Ben is the handy man, Kathy is the Store Manager, and Nick’s job is to show his smile to everyone who walks in. They truly enjoy every interaction with each and every customer.
But it’s not just atmosphere and joy you’ll find at the Bread Basket! They have some of the best sandwiches in town, along with soft-serve ice cream, homemade breads, pies, and cookies!!! Follow the Bread Basket on Facebook for more information, and to keep up to date on the arrival of all the newest yummies! Drop by and say “Hi”! There is a favorite for all! God willing, the doors will be open for many years to come!

The Bread Basket
2167 Webbs Mill Rd N, Floyd, VA
Kathy and Ben Yoder
breadbasketva.com
540-745-5382
breadbasket.floydva@gmail.com