Lucy J’s: More Than Just an Amazing Cinnamon Roll

If you come to Crosstown Concourse early enough, around 7:30 a.m. to be exact, you can smell something cinnamony, sugary, and sweet fragrancing the halls. Follow that wonderful scent and it will lead you straight to Lucy J’s Bakery, where they are just taking out fresh cinnamon rolls from the oven before opening. Buttery, flaky, and generously topped with homemade cream cheese frosting, these heavenly delights have been stealing the hearts of visitors to Crosstown for years.

Lucy J’s Bakery, a labor of love founded in 2018 by husband-and-wife team Josh and Tracy Burgess, began as a fun hobby. When the opportunity arose to turn their passion into a business, they eagerly embraced it.

From the start, cinnamon rolls became a clear front runner for one of the bakery’s best-selling treats, alongside savory breakfast pockets, flaky croissants, and freshly baked cookies.

The process for a perfect cinnamon roll at Lucy J’s Bakery is a unique and meticulous one. It begins a day in advance, with Josh kneading a special brioche-style dough, a technique he believes sets his cinnamon rolls apart. The dough is then generously filled with a buttery cinnamon sugar mixture, rolled up tightly, and allowed to rise overnight before being baked to golden perfection the following morning.

“Some people want the inside pieces, and some of them only like the edge pieces. Some people like a lot of frosting, and others prefer less.”

Josh Burgess, co-owner and baker at Lucy J’s Bakery, rolls the dough for their famous cinnamon rolls.

Cinnamon rolls and people’s qualifications for what’s considered the perfect cinnamon roll can be a hotly debated topic. Whether you like your cinnamon rolls with plenty of frosting or just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, Lucy J’s cinnamon rolls are undeniably good.

“I haven’t had anyone tell me otherwise, except for this one nine-year-old girl at the farmer’s market who claimed that her grandma’s was better. I responded, ‘Well, you haven’t had mine.” Josh jokes he never saw that girl again, probably because she bought one of his cinnamon rolls and became a believer.

While the debate over the perfect cinnamon roll rages on, there’s one thing everyone can agree on: Lucy J’s Bakery has become beloved by the Crosstown community. Josh shares that his favorite part of being at Crosstown is seeing people from all walks of life intermingle, from busy professionals grabbing a quick breakfast pocket and coffee to energetic high schoolers fueling up before class; the bakery has something to offer everyone.

A cornerstone of the community, Lucy J’s has also become a place of opportunity. The bakery partners with Memphis’ Dorothy Day House to offer employment opportunities and services for families experiencing homelessness or economic difficulties.

Vanessa Cannon pictured prepping bread for the week at Lucy J’s Bakery.

“It’s going to be almost four years in December. Well, it’s impacted my life a lot. I get to know everybody really well, including the customers. Oh my god, I see those folks as family. I learned new skills. I think I’m a pro. I learned how to make bread, the brookies. I’ve learned a lot. I go home now and bake, and whatever my kids want to try, we’ll try to make it,” says Vanessa Cannon, a beloved Lucy J’s employee who has become a Crosstown fixture.

Six years later, this commitment remains steadfast. Lucy J’s continues to provide essential job training, employment, and even healthcare benefits through a partnership with Church Health. More than just a business model, this social impact is the bakery’s soul, driving every decision and interaction. It’s a place where people can find not only delicious cinnamon rolls and baked goods but also hope and opportunity.

Whether you’re a cinnamon roll connoisseur or simply looking for a sweet tooth fix, Lucy J’s Bakery is a must-visit. With a commitment to both excellence and community support, the bakery has become a cherished part of the Crosstown Concourse fabric. So next time you’re in the neighborhood or visiting our vertical village, treat yourself to a cinnamon roll and support a wonderful local business.

To learn more about Lucy J’s or donate to their mission, visit their website.