Sandi Sue’s Gluten Free Bakery Serves Growing Demand in Bentonville
Sam Hoisington
June 07, 2025
What’s cooking at Sandi Sue’s Gluten Free Bakery?
“Pretty much anything from loaf bread and sandwiches to wedding cakes,” proprietor and baker Sandi Macklom said.
The everyday essentials were always part of Macklom's plan, but the wedding cakes came as a result of customer requests.
“The last thing you want to do is get sick on your wedding day,” she explained. “So a lot of people just go without and watch everybody else eat the cake.”
Macklom has celiac disease and finds a deep sense of purpose in making food that people who don’t eat gluten can enjoy.
About 1% of people have celiac disease, but many more experience sensitivity, with some estimates as high as 6% of the general population.
When new customers walk in, Macklom often sees the same reaction: “Their eyes get really big in disbelief when they realize they can eat everything on the menu,” she said. “That’s what keeps me trying to keep making everything better. That’s why we all enjoy what we do.”
In addition to the storefront at 2500 SW 14th St #10, her goods can be found in other places around town.
Sandi Sue’s makes pizza dough and pretzels for Stoic Brews, Sunny’s on Second sells their muffins, and various corporate offices in the area also stock up, recognizing the growing number of employees who might be going gluten-free.
The Backstory
Sandi Sue’s has been in business since 2020, when Macklom started baking in her home while attending culinary school. She opened an “itty bitty” storefront at 8th Street Market in 2021, before growth prompted a move to the current location in 2023.
Baking is Macklom’s second career. She spent two decades at Sam’s Club, climbing the ranks from cashier to a merchant position at the corporate office. Her background in business and pricing strategy helped as she opened her own small business, and she mentioned Sam Walton while discussing the business side of operations.
“The support of the community is everything. Mr. Sam always said that the customer votes with their dollar,” she said.
Macklom had been thinking about the idea that would become Sandi Sue’s for years. When she left Sam’s Club, her husband told her: “If you want to do it, now’s the time.”
First-Time Visitors Become Fans
The Bentonville Bulletin stopped by the table of Al and Jane Dorey of Kenosha, Wisconsin, who were visiting family in the area. A Google search brought them to the bakery.
Al is gluten-free, as are a few of their local relatives. “So we’re trying to balance eating gluten-free,” Jane said.
They tried a cinnamon roll, which Jane called “absolutely fabulous.” She also said she “couldn’t tell” it was gluten-free.
Satisfied, the couple went back to the counter to purchase more baked goods to share with their family.
