Charles Street Bakery

Introduction / Overview

For decades, Charles Street Bakery has been far more than just a place to buy bread; it has solidified its status as a cherished local staple in La Plata, Maryland. Serving not just Charles County, but also the wider DC Metroplex, this establishment proudly blends a genuine "small-town bakery feel" with "big flavor and artistic style," making it a recognized landmark in Southern Maryland since its founding in 2002. Under the guidance of owner and veteran pastry chef Deborah Taylor, who brings over 40 years of diverse experience from California to D.C., the bakery operates with passion, patience, and a deep love for both baking and the community it serves.

Charles Street Bakery specializes in transforming life's special moments into delicious memories. While they are famously known for their beautiful, custom-designed cakes—including being highly recommended for intricate wedding cakes and groom's cakes—their daily offerings provide irresistible reasons to visit more frequently. From early morning breakfast pastries to satisfying lunch combos and specialty coffee drinks, the bakery provides a welcoming retreat with complimentary amenities like free internet access.

The consistent, high-quality product is matched only by the dedication to customer service, a philosophy that views patrons not just as customers, but as family. This commitment is evident in every award-winning cookie, moist slice of lemon pound cake, and perfectly crafted latte. Maryland residents seeking a bakery that combines masterful artistic execution with exceptional taste and a warm, inviting atmosphere need look no further than this local La Plata treasure.

Whether you are planning a large celebration, seeking a quick coffee, or simply needing an afternoon sweet treat, Charles Street Bakery is ready to exceed expectations with products made with pride and heart.

Location and Accessibility

Charles Street Bakery is ideally located in the heart of La Plata, Maryland, ensuring convenient access for local residents, neighboring communities, and customers driving from across the DC Metroplex. The specific address is central to the town:

507 Charles St, La Plata, MD 20646, USA

Recognizing the importance of a hassle-free visit, particularly in a small-town setting, the bakery provides excellent accessibility and parking options that cater to all patrons. This convenience is crucial for customers picking up delicate custom cakes or simply stopping in for a quick visit. Accessibility features include:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring comfortable entry for all guests.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot (where applicable), prioritizing ease of access.
• Free parking lot available for customers, eliminating the need to search for spots or pay for time.
• Free street parking options are also available, adding further flexibility for visitors.

This combination of a central location and ample, accessible parking ensures that customers from Waldorf, Prince Frederick, and even further afield can enjoy the bakery's offerings without logistical concerns. The bakery maintains operating hours from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Saturday, allowing locals plenty of time to visit for breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon treat.

Services Offered

Charles Street Bakery offers a comprehensive range of services that extend beyond simple retail to include custom design and catering for major events, positioning itself as a full-service culinary partner for Southern Maryland residents.

• Custom Designed Cakes: Specializing in Cakes Custom Made, including custom birthday cakes, gender reveal cakes, and corporate celebration cakes. The minimum price for custom cakes is noted at $28.00 (base price), with final pricing depending on design complexity, size, and flavor.
• Wedding and Groom's Cakes: Dedicated services for wedding couples, including detailed consultations, free cake tastings, and handling of cake delivery and setup for the special day.
• Daily Baked Goods: A wide variety of daily fresh items including breakfast pastries, cookies, brownies, pies, cupcakes, cannolis, and éclairs, often including a "chef's choice of dessert specials."
• Savory Lunch Menu: Offering freshly made sandwiches and seasonal savory dishes. Sandwich Combos, such as Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad, and Ham & Cheese, are priced at $6.50 and include a choice of two cookies or a bag of chips.
• Beverage Service: Offering a full coffee café experience with an unlimited variety of Specialty Coffees, Espressos, Chai Teas, Herb Teas, and fresh fruit smoothies.
• Special Diet Options: Providing Dairy Free, Sugar Free, and Gluten Free options for both desserts and dog treats, catering to various dietary needs in the community.
• Convenient Ordering and Pickup: Offering Delivery, In-store pickup, and Takeout options. Orders must be placed in person or over the telephone at 301-392-6344, ensuring verbal confirmation for accuracy.
• Day-Old Discounts: Selling day-old baked goods at reduced prices, providing an opportunity for budget-conscious customers to enjoy quality treats.
• Pet Treats: Making healthy "Sissy Snacks and Booboo Bones" for dogs, including gluten-free options upon request, acknowledging their furry customers.

Features / Highlights

What sets Charles Street Bakery apart for Maryland customers is the superior quality of their products, the depth of their experience, and their unique focus on customer care and community involvement.

• Masterful Cake Expertise: Driven by a pastry chef with over 40 years of experience, the bakery is renowned for its moist, artistic cake creations and signature buttercream icing. Their extensive flavor menu includes traditional favorites (Vanilla, Chocolate, Red Velvet) and unique options (Key Lime, German Chocolate, Rum).
• Award-Winning Treats: Known for "award-winning cookies and pastries" that bring customers back daily, even prompting long drives from afar for homemade lattes and treats.
• Exceptional Customer Care: The staff is consistently praised for being friendly, professional, and honest in consultations, ensuring the final product—whether a cake or cupcakes—surpasses customer expectations.
• Variety of Dessert Specials: In addition to the standard menu, the bakery features a wide selection of cookies, pies, cannolis, éclairs, and chef's choice dessert specials, meaning there is always something new and tempting available.
• Café Comforts: The in-house café offers a comfortable space with Free Internet access, inviting customers to sit, relax, and make themselves at home while enjoying a specialty coffee or light lunch.
• Extensive Cake Customization: Customers can view vast books of cake designs in person and work with staff to create highly personalized, unique cakes for any theme, from elegant weddings to custom BG3-inspired birthday parties.
• Community Landmark Status: The bakery has been operating since 2002 and is recognized by locals as a small-town staple and landmark, emphasizing its deep and sustained connection to La Plata and Charles County.

Contact Information

For local Maryland customers planning a special event or wishing to inquire about the daily selection of baked goods at Charles Street Bakery, please use the following contact information. Remember that verbal communication is required for placing orders to ensure accuracy and personalized service.

Address:

507 Charles St, La Plata, MD 20646, USA

Phone (Primary for Orders and Inquiries):

(301) 392-6344

Mobile Phone:

+1 301-392-6344

Business Hours (For general reference—always recommended to call for holidays or changes):

Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Saturday: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Sunday: Closed

The dedicated phone line is the quickest way for Southern Maryland residents to coordinate custom designs, schedule a wedding cake tasting, or confirm the availability of their favorite treats.

What is Worth Choosing Charles Street Bakery

Choosing Charles Street Bakery is choosing a local Maryland institution renowned for both artistic excellence and heartfelt service. For residents in La Plata, Waldorf, and the broader Southern Maryland area, this bakery offers a value proposition that is unparalleled by mass-produced alternatives.

The strongest reason to choose Charles Street Bakery lies in the quality of their foundational product: the cake itself. Customer reviews repeatedly highlight the cakes not only for their beauty but also for being "tasty" and "amazing," as confirmed by the lemon pound cake that left "no slices left" at an 85th birthday party. The skill of the 40-year veteran pastry chef and the staff's dedication ensures every item, from a simple chocolate chip cookie to an elaborate tiered cake, reflects pride and passion.

Furthermore, the bakery acts as a crucial community resource for custom events. They offer extensive consultation services, including wedding cake tastings and the opportunity to view design books, giving customers the confidence that their vision will be accurately and beautifully executed—even when dealing with complex, custom themes. Their honesty in communicating what "could and couldn’t work with our design" is highly valued, ensuring satisfaction and a stress-free experience for Maryland couples and families.

The convenience of having a comprehensive café experience is another major factor. Customers can transition from planning a wedding cake to grabbing an affordable $6.50 sandwich combo for lunch, complete with coffee offerings, all while utilizing the complimentary Wi-Fi. This versatility makes it an indispensable local fixture.

In essence, Charles Street Bakery delivers big-city artistry with genuine small-town warmth and reliable service. When Maryland residents choose this La Plata bakery, they are investing in award-winning quality, supporting a long-standing local landmark, and ensuring their special occasions are celebrated with deliciously moist and visually stunning creations.

Charles Street Bakery

507 Charles St, La Plata, MD 20646, USA