Herman's Bakery

Herman's Bakery started on Fleet Street in Canton (left)and is located today at 7560 Holabird Ave. in Dundalk.

 

Published: 11/20/08

Hermans Bakery Celebrates 50 Years of Family Baking for the Dundalk Community December 5, 1958 was the grand opening for Hermans Bakery at 7560 Holabird Ave., at the intersection of Merritt Boulevard and Holabird Avenue. According to Harry Herman the third, Weve actually been a family-operated bakery business since 1923, 85 years ago, when my grandparents started on Fleet Street in Canton. But our big success came about when my dad decided to gamble on a new location way out in the suburbs, currently greater Dundalk. During a time when there were very few food stores, much less bakeries, Hermans became an overnight success. Herman recalls, On Sundays, after church let out, our store was packed; customers were waiting outside to get in. At Christmas, we used a ticket machine that repeated after dispensing 99 tickets. We had customers holding the same ticket number, meaning well over 100 were waiting to be served! Hermans mom Sophie ran the storefront, while his dad worked 16-hour days turning out the bakery products. Both have now passed on - Mom at 79 and Dad at 85, says Herman. Working hard was their passion. Times changed in the 1970s, as shoppers had more options. In 1974, my dad had the foresight to open a branch store at Golden Ring Mall, the very first enclosed mall in the area, Herman explains. Again success followed. During the 1980s, the family opened bakeries at Kenilworth in Towson, White Marsh Mall, Hunt Valley Mall and Eastpoint Mall. Operating six stores was a challenge and not very profitable. Today the family is content with serving our faithful customers at our original Dundalk location, as we have for over 50 years, acknowledges Herman. Hermans Bakery is most famous for decorated special occasion cakes and strawberry shortcakes. Other favorites include fudge top cookies, marshmallow donuts, jelly turnovers, slabs of cheese and peach cake. But everyone has their favorite, so we try our best to satisfy, Herman says. His sister, Cassandra (Herman) Coyle, has developed a strong catering business, delivering lunches to the entire metro area. Specialties include fancy wraps, signature salads and our famous five-foot sub sandwiches. Hermans niece, Adrienne (Herman) Porcella, handles the business office and is also a skilled cake decorator. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren are now involved, giving Hermans Bakery five generations of family baking to serve our customers. Herman says hed like to see their customers bring in photos of cake celebrations from the past. We could give out prizes! he exclaims. In recognition and celebration of their 50 years in business at the Dundalk location, the bakery plans to thank their customers. Were going to have weekly specials, free samples and surprise give-aways, so stop in to say hello and enjoy! Herman advises. Hermans Bakery is open at 7 a.m. daily.

For more information, call 410-284-5590 or visit www.hermansbakeryandcatering.com