J. Clayborn’s Bakery & Café has reopened at 1021 W. Main Street in Lebanon, with husband-and-wife team David and Ashley Hixson taking over the longtime bakery following its closure announcement earlier this year.
The business reopened on May 16, according to The Wilson Post. The Hixsons acquired the bakery after former owner Rick Smith announced plans to close the business. Smith had operated the bakery since 2022.
“We heard they were closing the doors, and we understood the history of the business and how important it is to the community and its legacy. We wanted to keep it going,” David Hixson told The Wilson Post.
The new owners have kept much of the bakery’s existing team in place and recently welcomed former Donut Palace employee Pearl Sullivan to the staff. They told The Wilson Post they also plan to bring back Clayborn’s original donut recipe while introducing new varieties, aiming to honor the bakery’s legacy while expanding its offerings. According to the Hixsons, preserving the methods and traditions that helped establish the business remains a priority.
Customers can expect familiar menu offerings to remain, including the return of the bakery’s popular steak biscuits.
In addition to the bakery, Ashley Hixson owns Alexandria Coffee and Cafe, while David Hixson operates Heavenly Landscape and Tree Service. J. Clayborn’s serves donuts, pies, cakes, breakfast items, and lunch fare and is open Monday through Saturday from 4:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
