Bakery Receives Spotlight Award
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Chamber President Angie Hodge presented the Business Spotlight Award to Hummingbird Bakery owner Brenda Bradford Saturday morning. Also pictured are Chamber board members and bakery staff (back row, from left) Autumn Bradford, Sara Maclin, Hannah Hill and Kimber Bradford.
WATER VALLEY – The Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce proudly presented the Business Spotlight Award to The Hummingbird Bakery on Saturday, March 22. First introduced by the Chamber in 2016, this award recognizes businesses and individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the community.
Since opening a year ago, The Hummingbird Bakery has seen steady business, quickly becoming a local favorite. Owner Brenda Bradford initially worried that Water Valley’s small-town setting might limit foot traffic, but those fears were quickly put to rest. From the moment the doors open, customers are ready and waiting, eager to enjoy the bakery’s fresh offerings.
Specialty croissants and danishes have been a hit, along with a steady stream of regulars who return each week for sourdough bread, bagels, and cinnamon rolls. Bradford believes people appreciate having a healthier bread option and enjoys providing homemade goods to the community.
With over two decades of baking experience, she originally sold her products under Mississippi’s cottage food laws, which allow home-based food businesses to operate without a commercial kitchen. Taking a leap of faith, she decided to open a brick-and-mortar bakery, seeing baking as her love language and a way to bring joy to others.
Bradford and her family moved to Water Valley from Oxford nine years ago, drawn to the small-town atmosphere and familiar faces. Running the bakery is a true family effort—her husband, Stan, helps in the back, while their daughters, Autumn and Kimber, are also involved. The couple’s teenage daughters are adjusting to early Saturday mornings at the bakery, motivated by the opportunity to earn their own money.
Located in the historic Hendricks Building on South Main Street, The Hummingbird Bakery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon. The work is labor-intensive, with long hours of preparation and late nights ensuring everything is ready for the next day. Even when the bakery is closed, passersby often spot Bradford working inside, a testament to the dedication behind every batch of bread and pastries.
Business Spotlight Drawing for $25 VISA Card
In honor of this Business Spotlight award, the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is offering a $25 gift card to the person who can correctly answer this question:
What building is home to the Hummingbird Bakery?
All correct answers will be compiled and the winning name will be drawn on April 4. You have “10 days and two ways” to answer between March 26 and April 4. You may (1) reply on Facebook OR (2) stop by the Chamber of Commerce office any time during regular office hours and leave a written answer. The winner will be called OR notified on Facebook.
The winner’s name and photograph will be published in the following edition of the Herald.
