Story by Erin Bender
Photos by Tuesday Photography
Since we first opened our doors in 2000, Breadroot Co-op has been all about connecting our community through natural and organic foods. As we’ve grown, so has our amazing network of local producers. In 2025, we’re proud to carry products from over 40 local vendors, stretching from the Black Hills to the Eastern Plains of South Dakota.
We think it’s just as important to spotlight these vendors as it is to stock their products. So much of what we do is rooted in cultivating community, and this blog series is one more way to grow that connection. Take a moment to read about the people behind your favorite products — and get familiar with the faces and stories that make our Co-op what it is.
Our third Vendor Spotlight led us to Goodies Gluten Free Bakery, nestled in Black Hawk, just 20 minutes outside of Rapid City. Stepping into their lobby, we were immediately engulfed by the smell of a fresh batch of gluten-free cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. Brooke stepped out of the kitchen to greet us and introduce us to her team. Today, she was working alongside Angela—her first employee, and now one of four. Each of them lightly dusted in flour and beaming at the chance to talk about their bakery journey.
In 2012, Brooke was diagnosed with Celiac disease, an inherited autoimmune disorder in which eating gluten triggers an immune response in the small intestine. While she had always loved baking, her diagnosis brought a level of isolation that pushed her to roll up her sleeves. For the next decade following her diagnosis, Brooke built a career as a real estate appraiser, but baking remained her constant—both a creative outlet and a necessity given her diagnosis. As she navigated life gluten-free, she began searching for convenience foods she could trust, only to find a clear gap in the market. The options simply didn’t exist.
After ten years in appraisal, Brooke realized the joy she found in baking far outweighed anything else. So, she abandoned ship, trading spreadsheets and site visits for mixing bowls and muffin tins, and she began selling gluten-free baked goods out of her home kitchen. What started as a solution for herself quickly became a solution for others. “I didn’t see any options,” Brooke says, “so eventually, I became one.”
By May of 2023, Goodies Gluten-Free Bakery was official. At first, they didn’t have a storefront in mind at all, but once “Goodies Gluten Free Bakery” started showing up on Google, people just started showing up. They went from a cottage kitchen (a.k.a. their home kitchen) to a shared baking space, and then to their current shop which opened in May of 2024—an “ugly duckling” space in Black Hawk, South Dakota; an underserved pocket in the Black Hills. Brooke’s mission was clear: to ensure that no one had to feel deprived of their favorite treats, regardless of dietary restrictions. “We just want to bake and serve,” Brooke notes. “[Our space] has been a blessing, for sure. Our mission of better serving this community helps keep us going.”
Today, Goodies Gluten-Free Bakery is a staple not only on our shelves at Breadroot Co-op, but throughout the Black Hills community. Goodies is the glue that helps people stick to their diets—without ever feeling deprived. As Brooke notes, “Lots of people choose gluten-free simply because it makes them feel better—it can be anti-inflammatory,” which means her customer base extends well beyond the Celiac community. Since bringing Angela on, who is dairy-free, the team has expanded their offerings to include many products that are both gluten-free and dairy-free, casting an even wider net.
You can find a wide range from Goodies on Breadroot’s shelves, from take-and-bake cinnamon rolls to fuel bites to cookies and scones—there truly is something for everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions. Stop in and support this ever-budding business at their location in Black Hawk, or swing by the Co-op and look for them in Aisle 4 and in our Little Treats cooler. They also have partnerships with Independent Ale House, Aqua & Acre, Staple & Spice, Nemo Mercantile, Good Earth Natural Foods, Homestead Store, and Windsor Block.
At its core, Goodies Gluten-Free Bakery isn’t just about baked goods—it’s about belonging. It’s about making space for everyone at the table and showing what’s possible when food is made with intention, care, and community in mind.
