Farmers Market Favorite Swells Sourdough Bakery To Open First Permanent Store In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — A family-owned bakery that got its start at local farmers markets will open its first permanent location Oct. 1 in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood.

Swells Sourdough Bakery will open at 2254 India St., serving naturally fermented, organic sourdough breads and baked goods. A soft opening is planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26.

Pamela and Erik Ramos Peraza founded Swells and began selling their breads at farmers markets, including the Little Italy Mercato and La Jolla Open Aire Farmers' Market. The bakery plans to continue operating at the Little Italy Mercato, where the family business first began, after the storefront opens.

"We started Swells because we wanted to create the kind of bread we felt good about bringing home to our own family — bread made with quality ingredients, thoughtfully sourced grains and plenty of time to ferment," co-founder Pamela Ramos Peraza said.

"What started at the farmers' markets has grown into a permanent home in the neighborhood that supported us from the beginning, and we're so excited to open our doors and share Swells with even more of the San Diego community."

Swells' sourdough loaves ferment for about 36 to 48 hours and are made with certified organic, responsibly sourced flours, without bleaching or unnecessary refining, according to the bakery.

The new bakery includes a dough room that allows customers to watch the breadmaking process. A feature wall depicting a farmers market, waves and baked goods pays tribute to the bakery's San Diego roots.

After its grand opening, Swells plans to operate from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, though final hours could change.