In the Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1988, edition of the St. Louis Jewish Light, on page 12, in the “In Business” section, the eighth blurb of nine read:
Who knew what was to come?
Kenneth “Ken” Rosenthal
On Feb. 14, Rosenthal, 81, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family. Born and raised in St. Louis to the late Adis & Herman Rosenthal. Ken attended University High School in St. Louis and immediately jumped into the business world. Ken was a successful entrepreneur who started many businesses leading up to him founding St. Louis Bread Company in 1987.
Rosenthal and his little bakery-café in Kirkwood would go on to redefine how America experiences casual dining. It became Panera Bread, a billion-dollar brand with thousands of locations across the country. But for those who knew Rosenthal, his success in business was just one part of his story.
A Vision Born From a Trip
In a blog post for his website, Bob Clark, the founder of Clayco, and who is married to Rosenthal’s niece, wrote, “In 1987 he came to my office to tell me about a crazy idea he had about starting a bakery. He had seen the bakery visiting his brother Don in San Fran which was hopping with sourdough and other amazing bakery items. I thought it was crazy and told him so right away…How wrong I was.”
A Lasting Legacy
Beyond his success in business, Rosenthal was revered for his generosity and unwavering commitment to family and community.
“As successful as he was, he was the most humble and selfless person anyone would know,” his family wrote in his obituary. “Ken was known for his extraordinary kindness and generosity, always readily offering a helping hand to those in need. He was deeply committed to giving back to the community, generously supporting charities that aligned with his values, and leaving a lasting impact on countless lives. But his most important contribution was his family. His family meant everything to him.”
From a small Kirkwood bakery to a nationwide sensation, Ken Rosenthal changed the way America eats. His legacy lives on in every loaf.
