Dorothy Ann Bakery and Cafe

Introduction / Overview

For residents of the Twin Cities East Metro, certain establishments are more than just businesses—they are cornerstones of community life and threads in the fabric of local memory. Dorothy Ann Bakery and Cafe in Woodbury, Minnesota, proudly stands as one of these cherished places. More than 70 years of history lie within its recipes and its walls, establishing a deep-rooted “Tradition of Good Taste” that has defined generations of celebrations, from children's birthdays to weddings across the region.

The story begins back in St. Paul in 1951, when the bakery was first purchased by Walter “Wally” Grochowski, who kept the name to honor Dorothy Ann, the wife of the original owner, Ed Durin. It remains a deeply committed family operation today, now expertly owned and run by the third generation. Joan Grochowski Conway, Wally’s daughter, and her husband, Steve Conway, took over in the early 1980s, eventually moving the beloved institution to Woodbury in 1988. Today, their daughter, Colleen Cicalello, works as the full-time Head Cake Decorator, preparing to carry the family legacy forward. This unbroken chain of family dedication is a unique feature in the local food scene, ensuring that every product is made with a personal touch and a refusal to compromise on quality, even as ingredient costs soar.

Dorothy Ann Bakery and Cafe is a full-line retail bakery, meaning it specializes in a vast and comprehensive array of freshly baked goods every day. While celebrated for its traditional sweets, it also functions as a highly-rated cafe, offering a complete menu of breakfast and lunch options for the busy Woodbury community. The business’s dedication to quality and its community focus has not gone unnoticed, having won the Best Bakery in Woodbury award multiple times, including in 2023 and 2024, and being recognized as the Woodbury Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year in 2022. It truly is a local gem for anyone in Minnesota seeking authentic, high-quality, and memory-making baked goods.

Location and Accessibility

The current, long-standing location of Dorothy Ann Bakery and Cafe is conveniently situated in a high-traffic commercial center in Woodbury, providing excellent access for customers throughout the East Metro. The current address, which the bakery has occupied since 2005, is: 710 Commerce Dr STE 100, Woodbury, MN 55125, USA.

The bakery’s move to the Crossroads Commerce Center allowed it to double its physical footprint, successfully expanding both its retail space and its production capacity to meet the growing demands of the Woodbury community. This strategic location is designed to facilitate a comfortable and hassle-free visit for all patrons.

The management has ensured the facility is fully equipped with necessary accessibility features, acknowledging the need for a welcoming environment for every member of the community. These accessibility provisions include:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot
• Wheelchair accessible restroom

For customers driving to the location, ample parking is provided, a key convenience in the busy Woodbury area:

• Free parking lot

With the designation of catering to a ‘Quick visit’ and offering a comfortable Restroom amenity, Dorothy Ann Bakery and Cafe is perfectly suited for those popping in for a morning coffee and donut, picking up a celebratory cake, or enjoying a leisurely lunch in the cafe area.

Services Offered

Dorothy Ann Bakery and Cafe offers a flexible range of services to accommodate the diverse schedules and needs of its loyal Twin Cities customer base, from a quick grab-and-go order to full onsite catering for events.

Available Service Options:

• In-store pickup: Customers can place orders for specialty items like cakes, large donut orders, or lunch, and collect them quickly.
• Onsite services: This denotes the availability of the cafe space for dining in, allowing customers to enjoy breakfast or lunch directly at the venue.
• Takeout: Ideal for customers wanting to quickly grab any of the fresh-baked goods, sandwiches, or salads to enjoy elsewhere.
• Dine-in: The cafe area provides a dedicated space to sit, relax, and savor the menu items.

Dining Availability:

• Breakfast options are served, making it a perfect spot to start the day.

Accepted Payment Methods:

• Credit cards
• Debit cards
• NFC mobile payments (facilitating fast, modern payment options)

Features / Highlights

As a full-line retail bakery, Dorothy Ann is defined by the breadth of its offerings and its dedication to classic, high-quality baking methods. The following highlights showcase the range of products and traditions that make it stand out:

Signature Baked Goods and Sweets:

• Paczkis Sold Year-Round: A beloved feature, this Polish donut is a commendation from regulars and is now sold every Friday and Saturday, not just during the traditional Mardi Gras season, with one customer noting they sell 5,000 during Fat Tuesday. Raspberry and the traditional prune are among the favorite fillings.
• Extensive Cupcake Selections: Offering both classic and combination flavors, the cupcakes cater to any special event. Classic Flavors include White, Chocolate, and Red Velvet, while Combination Flavors feature treats like Our Famous Chocolate Cream Filled, Almond Raspberry, and Strawberries & Cream.
• Daily Donut Variety: The morning selection of fresh-baked goods is substantial, including customer favorites such as Caramel Roll, Bismarks, Long Johns, and the Raised Glazed donut.

Cafe Lunch Offerings:

• Full Sandwich and Wrap Menu: The cafe offers a comprehensive lunch experience, featuring Classic Sandwiches (e.g., D'ann Deluxe, Royal Roast Beef, Tuna Sandwich) and Wraps (e.g., Oriental Chicken Wrap, Greek Roast Beef Wrap).
• Hot Panini Options: A selection of pressed sandwiches, served warm, includes the Gobbler Special, Grilled Chicken, and the California Panini.
• Fresh Salads: A healthy counterpoint to the baked goods, the menu includes seven types of salads, such as the Greek Salad, Chef Salad, and Oriental Chicken Salad. All salads and sandwiches are served with a complimentary Cookie, maintaining the sweet touch that only a full-service bakery can offer.

Traditional and Quality Focus:

• Old-Fashioned Baking: The bakery remains "rooted in the classics" and is an "old-fashioned bakery through and through," insisting on the use of "wonderful, fresh ingredients," and refusing to compromise on quality despite rising costs.
• Award-Winning Status: The continuous recognition as a "Best Bakery" by local publications, including multiple wins in the "Best of Woodbury" competition, confirms its elite standing in the regional food scene.

Contact Information

To connect with the bakery for orders, inquiries, or to book a wedding consultation, please use the following contact details for the Woodbury location:

Address: 710 Commerce Dr STE 100, Woodbury, MN 55125, USA

Phone: (651) 731-3323

Mobile Phone: +1 651-731-3323

What is worth choosing

What truly sets Dorothy Ann Bakery and Cafe apart for the Minnesota customer is the profound combination of family heritage, community dedication, and unparalleled product variety. You are not just buying a sweet treat; you are engaging with a Woodbury tradition that has been cultivated over three generations.

The family-first culture of the Conways, where the daughter is preparing to be the third-generation owner, provides a level of warmth and consistency that national competitors simply cannot replicate. This commitment shines through in the customer experience, as one reviewer enthusiastically confirms: "This is the ABSOLUTE BEST bakery! Seriously. Don't waste your time anywhere else! We had a Vikings party and everything they made looked and tasted delicious!!" This kind of passionate endorsement speaks volumes about the quality and taste of the products, whether they are everyday donuts or custom-made party desserts.

Furthermore, the bakery's unique menu features make it a must-visit destination, especially for regional specialties. The decision to make their beloved, fluffy, cake-like Paczki available every Friday and Saturday year-round, as opposed to just during the Lent season, is a direct response to a fiercely loyal customer base and a true testament to its Polish-inspired traditions, which one customer noted are "lighter then a Bismarck fluffy like a cake." The availability of other niche holiday items like King Cakes further establishes its role as the go-to bakery for marking special occasions and holidays throughout the year.

Beyond the sweets, the full Cafe menu of Sandwiches, Panini's, and Salads—all served with a signature, complimentary Cookie—makes it a highly practical and enjoyable lunch destination. This dual nature as both a full-service, artisanal bakery and a casual cafe solidifies its value to the Woodbury and East Metro clientele. When you choose Dorothy Ann Bakery and Cafe, you are choosing an award-winning institution that is rooted in history, committed to fresh ingredients, and dedicated to creating delicious memories for your family.