Valentine’s cards flood the storefront at Berkemann’s Baker’s Dozen in New Baden. Heartfelt messages, red and pink hearts, and decorated Valentines filled the windows and storefront at Berkemann's Baker's Dozen in New Baden this week, transforming the now quiet bakery into a show of love and support from the community.
Instead of customers lining up for doughnuts, fresh bread and pies, the storefront at Berkemann's is now covered in thank-you notes, drawings from elementary students and handwritten messages, which are reminders of how deeply loved the longtime bakery is.
Last month, owner Paul Berkemann made the difficult decision to sell Berkemann's Baker's Dozen as he focuses on caring for his wife, Janet, who is facing ongoing health challenges.
Under the current family circumstances, Paul is unable to provide the day-to-day attention required to both support his wife's needs and operate the bakery.
"It was a very difficult decision to make," Berkemann had said at the time. "But there is simply not enough hours in the day to run the bakery and also take care of my wife."
The bakery closed in early November and has not reopened. Berkemann's did open their doors briefly in December, offering baked and unbaked goods to the community at no cost — a reflection of Berkemann's love for the community.
And now that love is being returned.
Business owner and friend Dawn Ahner of New Baden reached out to the public, stating that they should flood the front windows of Berkemann's with cards, posters and their love story of the bakery.
"The bakery has touched this community in so many ways," Ahner stated. "New Baden has had a bakery here for almost one century. Can you imagine how many sweets and treats in 100 years that building has served?"
Messages from students at New Baden Elementary, longtime patrons and neighbors offering cards of thanks, valentine's greetings and notes of encouragement, were plastered on the outside of Berkemann's.
One message read, "We donut want to say goodbye," and another one read, "We miss you a hole lot."
Paul has owned Berkemann's Baker's Dozen for 25 years. He bought the business from Philip "P.J." and Jeanine (Hill) Wangler in 2000.
The Wangler's daughter, Cindy Ilges of Belleville, said that her grandparents came to New Baden in 1936 — Bill and Luella Hill — and rented, and eventually purchased the bakery in 1939. Bill used to deliver baked goods with a horse and wagon.
"Their motto always was, 'The Home of the Twin Loaf,'" said Ilges.
The building where the bakery has been and sits now was believed to have been built in the early 1900s by Ferdinand Reiss.
The public is missing their local sweet treats, and Berkemann said he hopes selling the bakery will allow his employees to return to work sooner. Several employees have told him they would come back to work at the bakery as soon as it reopened again.
Despite rumors, the bakery has not yet been sold and interested buyers are being directed to a broker.
Berkemann said he is grateful for the love and support shown by the customers, staff, family and friends throughout this period.
