Owensboro’s Great Harvest Bread Company is entering a new chapter. Long-time employee Alan Hancock has taken ownership of both locations. Hancock said his primary goal is to carry on the legacy built by the previous owner, Greg Garrard.
Known for its homemade bread and commitment to quality, the bakery’s two locations — 3211 Frederica Street and 4431 Springhill Drive off KY 54 — will continue to serve the community under Hancock’s leadership.
Great Harvest first arrived in Owensboro as a satellite of the Evansville location operated by Dennis Thompson. Garrard took over the Owensboro operation in 2000, leaving his job at UPS to pursue a new venture. Under his leadership, Great Harvest became a local favorite for its fresh, scratch-made bread and diverse menu offerings.
Hancock began his journey with Great Harvest while attending Kentucky Wesleyan College.
“I was just kind of bouncing around, not really knowing what I wanted to do,” Hancock recalled. “Greg talked me into making bread at 4 o’clock in the morning, and for some reason, it stuck.”
After a brief break from the company, Hancock returned and worked closely with Garrard to grow the business. He attributed the establishment’s continued success to its commitment to quality.
“Nobody’s going to outwork Greg; He was building something big here, and I just bought into it. We just hit it at the right time,” he said.
Hancock said the bakery gets its wheat berries from Montana, mills its own wheat flour, and uses only five ingredients in its bread.
“There’s no chemicals, just real food,” he said.
In addition to bread, Great Harvest offers a range of sandwiches, soups, and salads. Hancock highlighted the variety of options available, from pulled pork or bacon grilled cheese to veggie sandwiches and fresh salads with house-made dressings.
Despite the challenges of running a bakery, he said he is determined to maintain the standard Garrard set.
“It might look romantic to some people, but it’s a lot of work,” he said. “I’m just hoping I can keep the magic going without him.”
Hancock also spoke fondly of Garrard’s influence on both the business and its employees.
“Greg was a great mentor, not just to me, but to everyone who worked for him,” Hancock said. “He always emphasized hard work and giving back to the community.”
As Hancock steps into his new role, he remains committed to the core values that have made Great Harvest a beloved part of the Owensboro community.
“We’re just old-school breadmakers,” he said. “We believe in creating something real, and I think our customers appreciate that.”
