Schmidt's Bakery

Introduction / Overview

For nearly a century, Schmidt's Bakery has stood as a cornerstone of St. James, Minnesota. Established in 1923, this is more than just a bakery; it is a beloved, third-generation, family-owned institution that defines the small-town Minnesota experience. In a world increasingly dominated by supermarket bakeries, Schmidt's proudly adheres to old-fashioned principles: everything is "from scratch" and "made fresh daily," a commitment that has allowed it to endure and thrive.

Schmidt's Bakery is a generational experience. As one long-time customer noted, "Our family grew up with Schmidt’s and their caramel rolls are the standard by which we compare all others." This sentiment highlights the depth of their reputation—their famous caramel rolls and other signature items are not just food, they are indelible memories and cultural touchstones for families across Southern Minnesota and beyond. While they offer a full line of delicious products, including cookies, breads, and pastries, they are particularly renowned for their sweet treats. They have even gained fame for their specialty "doughnut balls." Being featured in nationwide contests and mentioned in Minnesota news outlets as a local treasure, Schmidt's Bakery holds a special place, proving that commitment to quality, traditional recipes is what keeps a community bakery relevant and cherished.

Location and Accessibility

Schmidt's Bakery is centrally located in the heart of St. James, serving Watonwan County and surrounding Southern Minnesota communities. The address is 422 1st Ave S, St James, MN 56081, USA. This location makes it an easy and convenient stop for daily customers, as well as for those traveling through the area.

The bakery is committed to being accessible to all Minnesotans. The premises are fully equipped with a wheelchair accessible entrance and a dedicated wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring easy access for every customer. Parking is straightforward, with free street parking available in the immediate vicinity, facilitating the "Quick visit" that busy locals appreciate. The atmosphere inside is that of a warm, traditional, family-owned shop, where the aroma of fresh baking goods greets patrons instantly. Customers should note the payment policy: Schmidt's accepts traditional methods, including Cash-only and Checks, reflecting its long-standing, community-focused business model.

Services Offered

Schmidt's Bakery offers a comprehensive range of freshly baked goods, available for daily purchase and special event orders. Their entire product line is made from scratch using time-tested, high-quality recipes.

• Daily Fresh Baked Goods: A wide array of baked treats made daily, including their legendary caramel rolls, donuts, various pastries, and fruit-filled danishes. Donuts and danish are among their consistent best-sellers.
• Specialty Breads and Buns: Baking numerous varieties of bread, including white, wheat, sourdough, and rye. They are particularly famous for their high-volume production of hamburger and hot dog buns, especially during summer grilling season and for local events like high school graduations.
• Cakes, Pies, and Custom Orders: Offering full-sized wedding and birthday cakes, pies, and cupcakes. They cater to special events, allowing customers to pre-order items to ensure they have the perfect desserts for their celebrations.
• Signature Cookie Line: Famous for their extensive cookie selection, including traditional Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Parfait Cookies, and particularly their highly popular Pumpkin Cookies, which are shipped across the United States and even internationally.
• Seasonal and Mexican Pastries: Providing seasonal specialties such as their unique fruitcake during the holidays, Tom and Jerry Mix, and Carmel Apples, alongside a selection of Mexican Pastries, adding cultural variety to their menu.
• Takeout Service: The primary service model is efficient takeout, allowing customers to grab their fresh-made favorites quickly and conveniently.

Features / Highlights

The enduring success of Schmidt's Bakery is built on a few core features that resonate deeply with the Southern Minnesota community.

• Nearly a Century of Operation: Founded in 1923, Schmidt's Bakery is one of Minnesota's longest-running, continuously operating family-owned bakeries, providing a rare sense of history and tradition that customers trust.
• The Gold Standard of Caramel Rolls: Their caramel rolls are widely regarded as the benchmark for all others in the region, symbolizing the quality and consistency of their scratch-made recipes passed down through three generations.
• Commitment to Scratch Baking: Unlike many competitors, the bakery proudly makes every product "from scratch," eschewing frozen or pre-made mixes to ensure superior freshness and flavor in every loaf, roll, and donut.
• Nationally Recognized Quality: The bakery has been rated among the best bakeries nationwide, a clear testament to the exceptional quality that brings people from far outside St. James to visit.
• Local Community Staple: The bakery is deeply integrated into the community fabric, known for providing fresh buns for local summer grilling and supporting family traditions for generations. It is a mandatory stop for anyone who has moved away and returns home.

Contact Information

Minnesota locals and visitors can easily reach Schmidt's Bakery to check daily offerings, confirm seasonal hours, or place an order for their next event.

Address: 422 1st Ave S, St James, MN 56081, USA

Phone: (507) 375-4241

Mobile Phone: +1 507-375-4241

Since the bakery offers high-demand items, particularly on weekends and holidays, calling ahead is recommended for large orders of specialty items like hamburger buns or pies.

What is worth choosing

Choosing Schmidt's Bakery is an opportunity to tap into a piece of authentic Minnesota heritage and experience baking excellence honed over nearly 100 years. What is truly worth choosing is the unparalleled quality of a product made fresh daily, from scratch, using recipes that have delighted generations of customers.

Specifically, a visit is worth it for the legendary caramel rolls—the standard-bearer of their kind—and the fresh, famous doughnut balls. For events, their ability to handle large orders of specialty buns and custom cakes makes them the reliable, high-quality local choice. In a time when few "small town bakeries" survive, supporting Schmidt's means supporting a vital, family-owned piece of Minnesota history that prioritizes traditional craftsmanship over mass production. When you step inside, you aren't just buying a pastry; you are continuing a century-old tradition and securing a memorable taste experience that locals compare all others against. Consider yourself truly "fortunate if you have the opportunity to buy their goods."

Schmidt's Bakery

422 1st Ave S, St James, MN 56081, USA