Generations Of Two Oregon Families Have Owned And Operated The Legendary Helen Bernhard Bakery
By Sarah McCosham|Published April 11, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
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I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
There are some places that haven’t simply stood the test of time; they’ve grown, thrived, and become legends in their own right. Helen Bernhard Bakery in Portland, Oregon, is one of those places. Since 1924, this bakery has been providing Portlanders with some of the tastiest treats in town, from breads and pastries to cakes and cookies. Over the last century, Helen Bernhard Bakery has been owned and operated by just two families, who passed the bakery baton from generation to generation. It’s a formula that’s worked, with the bakery a bona fide Portland icon.
When you picture the perfect little bakery, this is probably what comes to mind: a cozy little spot with a window full of delicious treats of all shapes and sizes.
Since 1924, this bakery has been keeping Portlanders happy and well fed, offering everything from yeasted breads and breakfast pastries to classic cookies and special occasion desserts.
Over the years, three generations of Bernhards worked the family business; and in 1988, David Bernhard sold the bakery to Richard and Mary Laufer, local bakery owners who gladly took the reins of this legendary establishment.
Today, the bakery is run by the Laufer's son-in-law and daughter, Mike and Kellie Snaadt, who have managed to continue the venture in a way that's true to the Bernhard's vision -- while also steering operations gracefully into the future.
The bakery has stood the test of time by growing and adapting. Even in the most challenging periods, folks have been able to count on Helen Bernhard Bakery to provide that perfect sweet treat.
And this is why, nearly 100 years after the Bernhard family opened this establishment, it continues to be a beloved and much-frequented spot in its little corner of Portland.
Have you visited this longstanding bakery before? For more information on Helen Bernhard Bakery in Portland, Oregon, visit the bakery’s website and Facebook page.
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