FAQ- sale & transition
We know this is a big change and folks have a lot of questions!
This FAQ page will be updated frequently as we get questions about this topic from our community, so check back often. If you don't find your question addressed on this page, submit your question using the link at the bottom of the page.
If you're looking for the general bakery FAQ, click here.
General Info
What’s happening?
After 18+ incredible years, I (Kat) am selling Muddy’s. The owners of Belltower Coffee are purchasing the bakery and Muddy’s will be joining the Belltower community of businesses, which currently includes two coffee shops, a wholesale bakery, a roastery, and a pottery studio.
***Muddy's Bake Shop on Broad Ave WILL CONTINUE TO BE OPEN!*** The owners of Belltower will just also own Muddy's. :-)
Why are you selling Muddy’s?
Since opening on Leap Day of 2008, Muddy’s has continued to evolve, thrive, take on new challenges, and explore more ways to serve its customers. Right-sizing 6 years ago made the business even stronger, which has created a terrific foundation for long-term stability.
Meanwhile, after 18 years, I (Kat) am ready for a change. I intend to focus more of my time on teaching recreational baking classes and on my consulting work with values-driven organizations.
Muddy’s is a Memphis institution that is very special to a lot of people in the community, and the idea of being a part-time or absent owner didn’t sit right with me. I still love Muddy’s and its community very, very much, so was determined to find a good match who would be both capable and excited to take it into the NEXT 18 years.
Who/what IS Belltower?
Originally founded as a pottery studio by Christopher Galbreath and Micah Dempsey, Belltower has expanded into coffee retail and roasting over the last 9 years. They currently operate four main businesses: a pottery studio, a coffee roastery, retail coffee shops - one on Highland near U of M and the other at Shelby Farms Park, and a bakery which will fold into Muddy’s bakery operations.
Belltower’s mission is defined by the tagline "Craft, Caffeine, Community". They aim to serve as a "living room of Memphis," providing a safe and welcoming space for people to be creative or simply enjoy a cup of coffee.
Why did Kat choose Belltower?
In deciding to find a new owner for Muddy’s, I was committed to choosing a group who would be equally enthusiastic about operational sustainability AND the enduring mission and soul of Muddy’s as a community asset. To even be considered, any potential buyer would need to have operational experience, demonstrate a strong mission and values alignment, and be actively working to make Memphis the best it can be.
Belltower is undeniably invested in the Memphis community and we have a lot of overlap in our mission & values. They’re also building out a strong operational support ‘back office’ that will allow the Muddy’s team to do what it does best-- craftsmanship, hospitality, and community.
And of course, because it's Memphis, Micah (one of the Belltower owners) and I have been “business besties” for several years! We often get together to talk about business, leadership, life, and what it looks like to build places that serve people well. Our friendship has been based on shared values and commitment to the Memphis community, and a deep appreciation for products made by real people, with care. Stacy Hinkle is another "business bestie" and I adore her. She runs Belltower's baking program and is a longtime resident of Binghampton. We've gotten together often over the years to "talk shop" and I'm always impressed by her enthusiasm for showing care to people through sharing great food.
At the end of the day, I trust Micah and Stacy to support and sustain Muddy’s going into the next 18 years. Their unbridled enthusiasm for Muddy's products, the people who make it special, the guiding values and mission, and Muddy's place in the community... it all truly gives me confidence in Muddy's ability to continue to provide Memphis with lovin' from the oven for a long, long time.
What will Kat do after Muddy's?
Kat will continue to teach recreational baking classes (even renting the Muddy's classroom for a while!) and to consult for values-driven organizations. She’s basically "spinning off" the parts of Muddy's that she alone was doing (teaching & consulting).
To ensure a smooth transition with quality and consistency at the forefront, she’ll also be serving in a light advisory role at Muddy’s through the first 12 months of the new ownership.
Find her here!
Who will lead Muddy's after the sale?
A mix of longtime Muddy's managers plus a couple new faces from Belltower!
Andrea Fortwendel remains Muddy’s General Manager and operational leader. Andrea has occupied multiple leadership roles at Muddy’s over almost 9 years and is looking forward to working with Stacy & Micah to slowly expand the availability of our products while maintaining laser-focus on quality and customer relationships.
Stacy Hinkle will step into the new role of Creative Director, serving as the creative authority for the menu and making sure that Muddy's continues to look, feel, and taste like Muddy's! Stacy has been the managing partner of Honeysuckle Sweets, the baking operation in the Belltower community of businesses (which will fold into Muddy's). Her experience with wholesale partners, enthusiasm for baking & hospitality, and commitment to Memphis make her a great match for the Muddy’s team.
Micah Dempsey, is the Director of Operations for Belltower, and he will oversee and support all of the businesses in the Belltower portfolio- including Muddy’s, Belltower’s coffee shops, the coffee roastery, and the pottery studio.
Alyssa Jackson remains Muddy’s production manager, overseeing the daily kitchen flow. Alyssa has worked at Muddy’s for 8 years and knows Muddy's extremely well, having held roles in customer service, as a baker, and in leadership. She will continue to lead the baking team day-to-day.
The Muddy’s team: spoiler– unless you're her husband (hi Thomas!), Kat hasn’t made your birthday cake in years. The same great folks who’ve been making your baked goods are going to KEEP making your baked goods!
When will the business officially change hands?
We're planning for April 27 or 28.
Will the Muddy’s name or brand change?
The Muddy’s name and its legendary brand style are staying the same! The goal of the integration is to ensure that Muddy’s continues to provide the Memphis community with lasting value and outstanding experiences for many years to come.
Belltower loves Muddy’s for what it already is and what it means to so many people in the Memphis community and beyond. They are so excited to be its stewards going forward!
Will Muddy's still be open on Broad Ave?
YES!!!! Emphatically, yes. The owners of Belltower are buying Muddy's, not closing it, lol.
They are SO excited about Broad Ave (Stacy, one of the owners lives in the neighborhood!) and intend to preserve Muddy's on Broad as the important fixture that it is!
the Menu, Operations, etc
Will Muddy's recipes or product quality change?
The Muddy’s menu is famous and beloved– the recipes and quality are a huge part of what the Belltower group is excited to be part of and continue!
The menu will remain largely unchanged-- and absorbing the most beloved items from the Honeysuckle/Belltower menu into the Muddy’s lineup is an added bonus for customers.
Also, the Muddy's team is remaining in place and will continue to be led by longtime general manager Andrea Fortwendel and production manager Alyssa Jackson, ensuring stability and consistency of our recipes.
Maintaining the Muddy’s commitment to- and reputation for- high quality and outrageously delicious food is a top priority.
What happens to the current Muddy’s staff?
The same great folks who’ve been making your baked goods are going to KEEP making your baked goods!
Muddy’s staff are an incredibly valued and appreciated part of a successful transition and they are enthusiastically welcomed by Belltower. Staff will continue to report to longtime GM Andrea Fortwendel, providing stability and continuity for the team and for customers.
What will change about Muddy’s?
Not much and certainly not for a while! Overall, the incoming Belltower team wants to take time and care to fully integrate and learn what Muddy’s does- and why- before proposing any changes. Belltower wants to 'adopt' Muddy’s because they love what it IS, not because they want to make it something else.
Muddy’s customers will soon enjoy a special Muddy’s blend of Belltower expertly roasted coffee and Belltower’s coffee shops will begin to carry some of Muddy’s beloved baked goods.
Ultimately, the goal of any changes is to ensure that as both businesses grow, their "scale never outpaces the soul" of the products and experiences.
And the same great folks who’ve been making your baked goods are going to KEEP making your baked goods.
What will change at Belltower?
Behind the scenes, Belltower will consolidate some operational systems and processes. It will also transition its current bakery operation and consolidate all the baking to the Muddy’s kitchen.
Will Belltower sell Muddy’s products?
One of the things we’re all excited about is the opportunity to offer select Muddy’s baked goods at Belltower locations. We will take our time and do it right, ensuring that quality is at the forefront.
Will Muddy’s sell Belltower’s coffee or baked goods?
Muddy’s will sell Muddy’s baked goods. We hope to have a specialty coffee blend just for Muddy’s in the near future.
Will Muddy's or Belltower's wholesale menu change?
The most beloved items from the Belltower menu will be folded into the Muddy's wholesale menu. So both business' partners will see some new options, but continue being able to order most of what they're used to.
We hope to broaden and fully integrate the wholesale menu in the near future, but we will wait to monitor and test our capacity before making that decision.
Who will be the point of contact for wholesale customers?
Stacy Hinkle and Ashley Mikulski will be working together to ensure that both Muddy's and Belltower's wholesale customers have everything they need... and hopefully growing that offering! Stay tuned!
Will my Muddy's gift cards still be accepted?
Yes! It's important to us all that Muddy's customers don't experience any interruption in the customer experience. Your gift cards are still good!
the Future of Classes & Events
Will Kat/Muddy’s still teach classes?
Kat is essentially "spinning off" the class business from the bakery. She will continue to teach both recreational baking/cooking classes (under a new business name: the Homemade Kitchen) as well as her business skills classes (as simply Kat Gordon). :)
To get in touch, visit her
personal website and The Homemade Kitchen (currently redirects to the personal site).
Where will the classes be held?
Kat will continue to use the classroom/event space at Muddy’s at least through the end of 2026 to teach her classes.
What about Cookbook Club?
Kat will continue to host her Cookbook Club and continue to use the Muddy’s event room through the end of the year.
What about classes for private groups?
Kat would love to host your group for a class and is absolutely still taking those bookings. Please visit her website for more information.
Can I use a Muddy's gift card to buy a class ticket?
Unfortunately, no. The public baking classes use the Eventbrite platform, and the bakery uses Shopify. Also, going forward, the classes are a separate business from Muddy's.
Will Open Studio events and Party Packages still be offered?
Muddy’s WILL continue offering Open Studio events and Private Party Packages (with cookie and/or cupcake decorating), just not instructional classes.
What about other community events?
One of the things that Belltower does really well is hosting community events! We all look forward to more fun ways to bring people together as part of this new chapter! Keep an eye out for fun events on the calendar :)
Do YOU have a question?
If your question hasn't already been answered above, we'd love to hear from you!
This is an active document and we'll be updating it as folks submit questions... and even answering some in a Q&A video series on our Instagram and Facebook!