Ken Rosenthal
Founder
St. Louis Bread Company
Laureate 2006
Growing up with meager resources in North St. Louis, having fun was simple for Ken Rosenthal. Playing tag outside, running lemonade stands, and reading comic books at the local drugstore were everyday activities that made his childhood grand. Aside from the lemonade stands, Ken’s first job was selling newspapers. This, along with the direction of loving parents, taught Ken ethics and values, hard work, and the importance of family. Following education at the University of Missouri St. Louis and Washington University, Ken worked in the women’s apparel business until his brother offered him a proposition. There was something delicious that St. Louis was missing, and it could be found in California. Ken initially resisted his brother’s ideas of opening sourdough
bakeries in St. Louis offering fresh bread and sandwiches, but eventually gave in. In San Francisco he met a baker who taught him the bread business while Ken continued to run Karstev’s in St. Louis. In 1987, Ken returned home, found a location in Kirkwood, and opened the first St. Louis Bread Co. Over seven years, Ken grew his fledgling company into a 20-store empire, bringing on-board three additional partners, but they wanted to make their concept an even bigger entity. So, in 1994 they sold the organization for $24 million dollars. Thanks to Ken’s infallible ethics, hard work, fair play and honesty, the St. Louis Bread Co. has expanded across the country. Following Ken’s guidance as Chairman, St. Louis Bread Co. strives hard to support the community. Now that he is no longer toiling day-in and day-out to create and sustain the St. Louis Bread Co., Ken has more time to devote to his family. To this day he continues to pass along his legacy of doing the right thing.
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