Geraldine's Bakery

Established in 2013.

The baking business has always been an important part of owners Fred and Rosemary's  family.  Fred's father, Karl-Ernst, began his career as an apprentice in Berlin, Germany at the age of 14, directly following WW II. He became a baker 'because I witnessed the long lines of people with little money waiting to buy a loaf of bread. I thought if I became a baker I will never go hungry and I will always be warm!'  Ernie, as legend has it, shoveled the coal ovens and slept on flour bags...warm and full. He emigrated to the U.S, and joined the Marines. While stationed at Camp Lejeune, 'Big Ernie' met Fred's mother, Geraldine. The two eventually eloped and relocated to Long Island, NY.

Fred learned the bakery business from his father. Fred's wife, Rose, worked the counter at his father's Yum Yum Bakery on Long Island. When Fred returned to Long Island to bake, after serving in the Navy, they met and well the rest is history......

 
Fred owned a bakery on Long Island for 25 years before shifting into semi-retirement eighteen years ago.  In 2004 Fred purchased a Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster and set out to Sturgis, SD. He and his wife motorcycled cross country every summer visiting all 49  (Hawaii was Navy base) of these beautiful United States. He owns a 2018 Road Glide now. They were visiting friends in North Carolina when they fell in love with Asheville.  In 2013 it was time for Fred to re-enter the baking industry full time again.

Fred and Rose believe  this is a good place for an old-fashioned  neighborhood bakery.  They appreciate the focus on local sustainability and community. "Asheville's 'go local' attitude is one of the things that drew me to this area," he says.