Today is a sad day in the community I teach in. A local bakery is closing its doors after 97 years in business. It's been owned and operated by the same family for the entire duration. They decided that they want to spend more time with their family, and they don't have the same passion for it after their father, and previous owner, passed away.
The bakery has amazing treats. They had the best donuts I've ever had. But it's also been a staple in the community. All the posts I'm seeing today show how important they were to so many people. I have never lived in the community, so I don't have the same experiences as other people, but I remember going there as a kid when we'd drive through the town on our way to camping at a nearby state park. We'd stop by to grab some donuts as we drove up to Madison. And as a teacher, I'd have students bring me donuts and cookies from the bakery every now and then. Their treats were a staple on days parents or community members would surprise the staff.
The family who owns it are the nicest people you'll meet. I've had students from their family. I'm happy for them, but it's still sad to see it go away. They announced a week or so ago that they'd be closing today. And since then, they've been sold out by 5:30 every morning. The open at 5. Yesterday people were lining up before 3am. I have a friend who got in line at 2:57 and was the 12th person in line. Her son is in my class this year, and he brought me my last cinnamon roll from there.
So many iconic places in the Austin area have closed over the 49+ years we’ve lived here, I can’t even keep track. I realize it’s different in much smaller communities, but all of those businesses had multi-generational customers, as well. It’s always just sad, and I’m sorry that’s happening.
The most recent place was our beloved northwest Austin Catfish Parlour location (original location opened in ‘73) that closed in November of ‘21. Fortunately, there are still 2 family-owned locations; one in south Austin and one in a city just up the road from us. The founder simply wanted to retire, and other family were busy with the other locations. I drove by on my way home from work the last night they were open, and there were cars everywhere, including the highway access road with police directing traffic.
All locations walls were/are covered with memorabilia, such as metal signs, neon signs, advertising clocks, etc. They fit what they could in the other 2 locations, but the vast majority was sold off at auction. A moving company now occupies the building and parking lot, and I cringe any time we might happen by.
As far as bakeries go, our local Lone Star Bakery was founded in 1926. At the time, the population of the town was about 1K, now it’s over 140K. Their claim to fame are Round Rock Donuts. So good it’s ridiculous…!!!!!
The place has had multiple owners over the years, though, including the founder who sold it in 1943, only to buy it back again in 1960, and then sell it again and retire. Fortunately, the perfected donut recipe has remained consistent throughout the years.
The place has been featured in articles and TV shows, including Man v. Food. I can’t see it ever going away, as it’s such an institution that somebody else would buy it and keep the tradition going, etc., etc, etc.
(and for BTMRR)
... and Yes. You HAVE to pedal. It won't go otherwise. The pedaling distance we traveled was 2 miles from the starting point. Then the employees reverse the direction of the muli person bike and you then pedal the 2 miles back to your original starting point. Besides the one break for the "turn around" there are two other breaks. You can't see it in the photo I shared, but there were many other people on their own multi person bikes. We traveled as a group along with 3 employee guides.
