About August First
August First Bakery & Café
Location: 149 S. Champlain Street, Burlington, Vermont 05401
Hours: 7:30am – 3:00pm 7 days a week
The Story
August First was started by Phil Merrick (he/him) and Jodi Whalen (she/her), a Burlington couple with a background in the baking, microbrewing, and marketing professions. Jodi and Phil took a small dream of a bakery that has an at-home feel, and turned it into one of the most bustling and beloved ‘mom and pop’ places in Vermont.
In 2022, Frank and Marnie Pace (longtime industry veterans and owners of The Great Northern Catering) became the proud new owners of August First. More on this serendipitous transition here!
This community bakery is dedicated to having fun, creating delicious food, and making you feel warm, welcomed and nurtured when you’re here. We are dedicated to creating natural, healthy food from scratch every day right here in the kitchen and bakery. Known for award-winning maple biscuits, classic pastries, locally roasted coffee, and delicious sandwiches, August First delivers something for everyone.
Located inside a big renovated garage in downtown Burlington, it’s bright and warm in the winter, and breezy and open in the summer, with plenty of outdoor seating in the warmer months. There are a few different ways to enjoy the August First menu: order at the counter and collect when your name is called, order online before you stop in, or check out our ‘August Fast’ grab & go options in our cooler.
Looking for catering? August First does not currently offer catering services, but you can enjoy an August First-inspired menu through The Great Northern Catering.
August First has been laptop free since 2014! We ask that you refrain from using screens while in our cafe. If you’re looking for a place to work, we recommend Kestrel or Muddy Waters.
Behind the Name
The name ‘August First’ is inspired by many things. There is the poem of the same name by Hayden Carruth (see below). Tied in with the poem is the idea that August 1st is the quintessential perfect Vermont summer day, when the lake is warm enough for swimming. Additionally, historically, this date was a typical harvest celebration day, marking the midpoint between the summer solstice and autumn equinox. Traditional celebrations included baking bread from scratch and sharing a meal made from the harvest with friends and family. All of these together evoke the spirit behind August First: warmth from a welcoming community, fresh-baked bread, and wholesome connection.
August First
by Hayden Carruth
Late night on the porch, thinking
of old poems. Another day’s
work, another evening’s,
done. A large moth, probably
Catocala, batters the screen,
but lazily, its strength spent,
its wings tattered. It perches
trembling on the sill. The sky
is hot dark summer, neither
moon nor stars, air unstirring,
darkness complete; and the brook
sounds low, a discourse fumbling
among obstinate stones. I
remember a poem I wrote
years ago when my wife and
I had been married twenty-
two days, an exuberant
poem of love, death, the white
snow, personal purity. now
I look without seeing at
a geranium on the sill;
and, still full of day and evening,
of what to do for money,
I wonder what became of
purity. The world is a
complex fatigue. The moth tries
once more, wavering desperately
up the screen, beating, insane,
behind the geranium. It is an
immense geranium,
the biggest I’ve ever seen,
with a stem like a small tree
branching, so that the two thick arms
rise against the blackness of
this summer sky, and hold up
ten blossom clusters, bright bursts
of color. What is it — coral,
mallow? Isn’t there a color
called “geranium”? No matter.
They are clusters of richness
held against the night in quiet
exultation, five on each branch,
upraised. I bought it myself
and gave it to my young wife
years ago, in a plastic cup
with a 19cent seedling
from the supermarket, now
so thick, leathery-stemmed,
and bountiful with blossom.
The moth rests again, clinging.
The brook talks. The night listens.
Testimonials & Awards
“Stayed nearby for a bit and enjoyed the warmth and smell of fresh baked goods….love the Maple biscuit with a hot coffee for a quick breakfast… Great salads and even the grilled cheese made with Vermont cheddar are tasty… Homey local place that makes you feel good.
“Good food, good vibe, nice people. Go here.
“ Incredible pastries, wonderful sandwich, great atmosphere. And best of all, no wifi — actual talking to people and reading of books. What’s not to love?
“Great space, great vibe. Highly recommended.
“Delicious maple biscuit breakfast sandwich and coffee. Adorable little place nestled in the neighborhood. Loved it.
“Stopped by on a Wednesday just before the lunch rush. We had walked by on the weekend, and saw the lines snaked maybe 10-15+ deep. After sitting down, the lunch rush came in, about 5+ ppl deep.Ordered a maple biscuit + blueberry muffin + Americano. Thick, flaky, and rich biscuit, tasty blueberry muffin. Variety of sandwiches that looked good after peering at a neighbor’s table.
Great spot to share a pastry, relax, read, or do laptopless work. More outdoor seating, weather permitting. If you’re not willing to wait in line, they have free, fantastic smells when their corner door is open.Stopped by on a Wednesday just before the lunch rush. We had walked by on the weekend, and saw the lines snaked maybe 10-15+ deep. After sitting down, the lunch rush came in, about 5+ ppl deep.
Ordered a maple biscuit + blueberry muffin + Americano. Thick, flaky, and rich biscuit, tasty blueberry muffin. Variety of sandwiches that looked good after peering at a neighbor’s table.
Great spot to share a pastry, relax, read, or do laptopless work. More outdoor seating, weather permitting. If you’re not willing to wait in line, they have free, fantastic smells when their corner door is open.
“ August First was an outstanding find! We ate breakfast there several times during our week in Burlington. There was a great variety every day and the food was delicious. I highly recommend! August First was an outstanding find! We ate breakfast there several times during our week in Burlington. There was a great variety every day and the food was delicious. I highly recommend!
“ Wow! I absolutely loved it here. The space is small warehouse vibes, very Burlington. It’s a no laptop/work zone which I thought was cool so it felt like a true gathering place.We just got a couple croissants and a Kouign Amann, but their whole menu of sandwiches and such looked amazing.
They have peak croissant game though! Super flaky, crispy, perfect lamination. We had croissants that were baked with turkey, apple, and cheese, which was a great combo. The Kouign Amann was also perfectly layered with just the right amount of sweetness and caramelization. Delightful!
Can’t wait to visit again the next time we’re in Burlington!Wow! I absolutely loved it here. The space is small warehouse vibes, very Burlington. It’s a no laptop/work zone which I thought was cool so it felt like a true gathering place.
We just got a couple croissants and a Kouign Amann, but their whole menu of sandwiches and such looked amazing.
They have peak croissant game though! Super flaky, crispy, perfect lamination. We had croissants that were baked with turkey, apple, and cheese, which was a great combo. The Kouign Amann was also perfectly layered with just the right amount of sweetness and caramelization. Delightful!
Can’t wait to visit again the next time we’re in Burlington!
“Delicious and fun. Lovely wait staff. We sat outside with our dog. You order at the counter and they call your name when ready.Delicious and fun. Lovely wait staff. We sat outside with our dog. You order at the counter and they call your name when ready.
“ Great spot for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. August First is located in Burlington VT, within walking distance of most hotels. They have a great selection of cooked menu and baked goods items and definitely don’t miss the Maple Latte. There’s usually a line but it moves quickly.
Voted Best Bakery by Seven Days readers, 2025
– Seven Daysies, 2025
Voted Best Bakery by Seven Days readers, 2024
– Seven Daysies, 2024
Voted Best Bakery by Seven Days readers, 2023
– Seven Daysies, 2023
Voted Best Bakery by Seven Days readers, 2022
– Seven Daysies, 2022
Voted Best Bakery by Seven Days readers, 2019
– Seven Daysies, 2019
Voted Best Lunch by Seven Days readers, 2017 & 2018
– Seven Daysies, 2017 & 2018
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