Cincinnati, Ohio

Finding fresh, high-quality gluten- and nut-free goodies can be a challenge. So in 2010, with the help of two business partners, Geri Peacock opened Cherbourg bakery in Columbus to fill that gap in the marketplace. “While I could find gluten-free boxed items, most options were full of a lot of overly processed ingredients,” she says.

Fast-forward a few years, and Peacock noticed more and more people were driving up from Cincinnati to enjoy her products. One of those customers was a developer with The Model Group, who encouraged Peacock and her partners to find a storefront in Over-the-Rhine. They’ve done just that, opening their second bakery, Cherbourg Cyprus, this spring.

About the distinctive moniker, Peacock says, “The bakery is named after a port town in France that has served as a launching pad for many. It was my grandmother’s port town [when she emigrated] from Hungary, and my grandfather helped to liberate Cherbourg in World War II.”
All of Cherbourg Cyprus’ offerings are free of gluten, nuts, dyes, and gums, and many are dairy-free. And they use as many local ingredients as possible. The menu includes classic Cherbourg bestsellers including lemon bars, s’more bars, blueberry monster muffins, honey puffs, and cinnamon donuts, along with savory fare such as quiches, stratas, shakshuka, brioche, and taralli (Italian-style bagels). They also offer celebration cupcake and cookie bar trays, and hope to eventually sell special-occasion cakes.

“I will allow the menu to morph if it needs to, but we will always keep with our core of offering beautiful and minimally processed gluten- and nut-free baked goods,” Peacock says. “Our specialty is beautiful food in a very welcoming space, and we hope you make your way to us, food sensitivity or not.”

Cherbourg has been selling baked goods at Whole Foods in Rookwood Pavilion, and plans call for growing their wholesale business in the area. Peacock says she and her staff plan to be attentive to and immerse themselves in the Cincinnati community: “I only know what I know from jumping in wholeheartedly, and I plan to do the same in Cincinnati.

Cherbourg Cyprus
1804 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
CherbourgCyprus.com