Stone & Skillet Puts Dorchester English Muffins in National Target Aisles

Stone & Skillet placed its New-England Style English muffins on the shelves of Target stores in August. The bakery, located in Dorchester, became one of the limited number of suppliers for the retail giant's English muffin category. This move places the local brand alongside dozens of other competing bake houses in a highly crowded market segment.

Cam Meekins, the company's co-founder and CEO, described the partnership as a source of personal pride. He said he feels blessed to work with a chain of that size. Meekins recalled the moment he saw the products spread across the country as a cool turning point for the business.

The company traces its origins to 2014, when Meekins and his brothers Kyle and Nick started the venture. Kyle worked as a salesman for a bread company at the time. He frequently heard restaurant owners ask for an artisan English muffin. His employer showed little interest in the request, but the brothers saw an opportunity. They grew up baking and cooking, and they wanted to create a product that would change public opinion about the item.

The brothers began developing the recipe in Kyle's apartment. They rolled dough balls on a stone countertop and cooked them on a cast iron skillet. That process inspired the company name. They designed the muffins to be dense and thick, a specification intended for use as burger buns in restaurants.

The brothers initially sold the product at local farmers' markets. A buyer from Whole Foods discovered the items there, leading to the company's first retail placement. That experience showed the founders that the brand could appeal to average consumers, not just chefs. Since that initial step, the company has expanded into Fresh Thyme, Wegmans, and other grocery chains.

Despite the national reach, Stone & Skillet continues to operate entirely from its facility on Quincy Street. The bakery is situated near the Commonwealth Kitchen enterprise. Jocelyn Pacheco, the director of operations, emphasized that the work remains local even as customers are reached across the country. She noted that new partnerships allow employees to grow alongside the company.

Dave Wedge, a company spokesman, stated that Stone & Skillet employs dozens of workers. The facility produces millions of English muffins per year. Meekins said the Target deal allows the company to invest more in the facility and bring on more employees. This supports the local economy in Dorchester.

Teresa Virgilio, a customer based in New York, expressed surprise upon seeing the muffins in a Target store. She usually buys them at Whole Foods. She cited the taste and texture of the garlic herb flavor as reasons for her preference. Meekins said the company does not take the expansion lightly and intends to continue promoting the product.

The bakery maintains its commitment to the Dorchester community while scaling production. The partnership with Target represents a significant milestone in the company's distribution network. All manufacturing remains centralized in the original building on Quincy Street.