[8] He and wife Susan launched Acme with approximately $180,000 of seed capital, half funded by Doobie Brothers guitarist Patrick Simmons through a leaseback arrangement.

During their visit to a winery in Bandol, the son of the owners suggested they make their mother starter from the natural yeast of wine grapes.

On returning home, he made the starter Acme continues to use in all of its bakeries by collecting unsulfured Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel grapes from a vineyard his father owned, and adding them to a flour and water mixture.

[10] The primary products are made in either sourdough or "sweet" white bread, but other dough styles are offered such as multi-grain and walnut levain.

Bread is baked in a large brick oven with a rotating slab and steam humidifiers to keep optimal humidity and produce the crust.

[14] The successful Ferry Building retail shop, though the most visible to tourists and residents alike, is a relatively small part of Acme's overall operations.