Pierce Bakery
by Maralyn Fink
Remembering the good ole days, I remember going to Pierce Bakery for oh, so good cookies, doughnuts, rolls and anything bakery.
The bakery was opened by Walter H. Pierce in 1940.
Walt and Barb Pierce bought the business from Walt’s father in 1958 and kept the business open until 1979. Walt attended bakery school in Minneapolis.
Not many made from scratch bakeries are open in these years, so it was a treat for all back then. Eggs were purchased from Herbrucks and milk from the Ovid Creamery. Everything was bought local, honey and wheat flour also. White flour came in to the Depot by train and was purchased by train car load and taken to the bakery by truck. Pierce’s made wedding cakes, cookies etc.
What goes into a loaf of bread, cake, cookies or rolls? The first and second grade students from St. Joseph School found out when they visited the Pierce Bakery. They also learned the importance of math in the bakers’ profession.
They also went into catering for Federal Mogul, Sealed Power and Saylor Beal factories furnishing lunches for the workers. At Holiday time parties were catered also.
St Johns local people were able to bring in turkeys in their container and Pierce’s would stuff and roast them for the customer.
They employed three men plus Walter who did the mixing and baking, and four woman helped at the counter. Barb Pierce did the icing and all the decorating.
Sometimes people look at you while talking about that time and stand in awe, but they were indeed the good ole years. If I could just get one more cookie and doughnut now, my dream would come true.
Thanks Barb and Walt for all the memories!
The bakery building today