Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Nutley.
Hi Jack, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our bakery was created in the late 1940s when Peter Kikos, a two-time Bronze Star recipient and WWII veteran, and his wife Leila, a Charleston native, decided to take their beautiful wedding cakes from their home kitchen to the commercial market. From these humble roots in post-war Charleston, they also perfected our Original Benne Wafer using a recipe that was already well over 100 years old even then.
Since those early days, both our bakery and the Benne Wafer have become Lowcountry staples, surviving location changes, shifts in ownership, economic ups and downs, and countless changes throughout Charleston itself. To our knowledge, Olde Colony Bakery is now the oldest continuously operating bakery in the entire state of South Carolina, a title we take great pride in preserving every day.
We once called Downtown Charleston home but have since crossed the harbor to Mount Pleasant, where we continue producing many of the same products generations of customers have grown up enjoying. Over nearly eight decades, we’ve watched Charleston transform from a smaller coastal city into one of the country’s fastest-growing destinations, and we’re proud to remain one of the few small local businesses still operating through all of that change.
Today, while much has evolved around us, our mission remains simple: preserve tradition, make exceptional products, and share a small piece of Charleston history with every order.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, and honestly, surviving nearly 80 years means learning how to adapt repeatedly.
Over the decades, we have faced many of the same challenges that have caused countless small businesses to disappear: economic downturns, changing consumer habits, rising ingredient costs, labor shortages, and increasing competition from larger companies. We have also faced challenges unique to Charleston, including hurricanes like Hurricane Hugo, floods, economic shifts, and the dramatic transformation of the city itself.
As Charleston grew and property values increased, operating a manufacturing bakery in historic downtown Charleston became increasingly difficult, eventually leading us to relocate operations across the harbor to Mount Pleasant.
Today, some of our biggest challenges are labor shortages, rising costs, and preserving a product deeply tied to Charleston’s history. Many lifelong locals who grew up eating Benne Wafers have moved away or aged out of our traditional customer base, while many newcomers have never heard of them before. In many ways, part of our job today is helping preserve and introduce a piece of Charleston history to new generations.
Despite these challenges, we believe we are navigating them well. Over the last three years, we have continued posting record years despite economic uncertainty, proving that there is still strong demand for authentic local products and traditions.
As you know, we’re big fans of Olde Colony Bakery. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Olde Colony Bakery specializes in producing authentic Charleston treats and preserving recipes that have been part of Lowcountry culture for generations. While we are best known for our Original Benne Wafers, we produce far more than just one product. Alongside our famous wafers, we offer eight other cookie varieties and baked goods that have built loyal followings of their own.
What sets us apart is simple: we are the original. We have been making Benne Wafers for decades longer than anyone else and have played a major role in keeping this historic Charleston product alive through generations of change. In fact, many of the Benne Wafers people encounter around Charleston today are still ours through wholesale and white label partnerships.
Over the years, we have expanded far beyond traditional retail and now serve customers through wholesale partnerships, corporate gifting, hospitality groups, weddings, e-commerce, and custom projects. We also sell directly through our website and ship nationwide, making it easy for customers across the country to enjoy a true taste of Charleston. To help offset rising shipping costs, we offer flat rate shipping so that sharing our products remains simple and accessible.
We love finding new ways to incorporate Benne Wafers into modern products and experiences, including currently exploring a special Benne Wafer ice cream collaboration with a local ice cream shop.
What we are most proud of is helping bring the Benne Wafer back into the spotlight. For many years, this historic Charleston treat risked becoming something people only remembered from the past. Today, we are seeing renewed excitement around it from locals, tourists, restaurants, and businesses alike. Our goal is simple: continue growing awareness and hopefully one day see the Benne Wafer recognized as the official treat or dessert of Charleston.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are several ways to work with, collaborate with, or support Olde Colony Bakery.
If you are interested in working with us, we are currently hiring and always open to connecting with people who want to join our team. The best way to reach us is by email at [oldecolonybakery@gmail.com](mailto:oldecolonybakery@gmail.com) (preferred) or by calling 843-216-3232. The same applies for collaboration opportunities. We welcome conversations with individuals and businesses who are interested in partnering with us in meaningful ways.
We also specialize in wedding favors, corporate gifts, and event gifting throughout the Charleston area. We love helping people share a taste of the city with their friends, family, coworkers, and guests, and we enjoy being part of special moments and celebrations through our products.
As for support, the simplest way is to continue supporting local businesses like ours and choosing small, family-rooted companies when possible. Most of our customers become repeat customers after their first experience, and we genuinely encourage people to give us a try and experience what has kept Olde Colony Bakery going for generations.
Pricing:
- 5oz Bags (normal size) – $5.24 per
- Bulk Rate (24 or more) 50z – $4.75 per
- 0.5oz Favor Bags – $1.25 per
- 3oz Favor Bags – $3.54 per
- 1lb Bags – $14.24 per
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oldecolonybakery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldecolonybakery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OldeColonyBakery/
