The Avenue Bakery

Introduction / Overview

For Marylanders seeking a taste of authentic Baltimore history paired with truly comforting, homemade baked goods, The Avenue Bakery stands as a powerful local landmark. Located on the historic Pennsylvania Avenue, this establishment is far more than just a place to buy bread; it is a community anchor and a living tribute to the rich African American heritage of West Baltimore.

Opened in 2011 by James "Jim" Hamlin, The Avenue Bakery was born from a desire to give back to the community he grew up in. The bakery's guiding philosophy is simple but profound: to provide unique, freshly baked products while supporting the effort to preserve the history and legacy of Pennsylvania Avenue. Jim Hamlin, known affectionately as "Poppay"—a name given to him by his granddaughter—revived his mother's tradition of making rolls, perfecting a recipe after she stopped baking them. This effort resulted in the bakery's undisputed claim to fame: the enormous, buttery soft, and universally beloved "Poppay's Rolls."

The experience of visiting The Avenue Bakery is twofold. First, it’s a feast for the palate, offering a delicious selection of breads, pies, cakes, and pastries described by customers as tasting "like my mom, grandmother or aunt use to make." Second, it is an immersion into local history. Owner Jim Hamlin has dedicated the customer area and the outdoor garden to telling the African American story in Baltimore. The walls are covered with trail markers and pictures that highlight the Pennsylvania Avenue Heritage Trail, celebrating political greats like Thurgood Marshall and entertainers who graced the legendary Royal Theatre, such as Billie Holiday and Cab Calloway. The Avenue Bakery is a business that upholds the hallmarks of quality, taste, freshness, and deep community integrity, making it a truly unique destination in the Maryland region.

Location and Accessibility

The Avenue Bakery is centrally located within the Pennsylvania Avenue Black Arts & Entertainment District, a historic corridor that was once the beating heart of Baltimore’s African American community. This location ensures that a visit is not just about baked goods, but also about appreciating a significant part of Baltimore’s cultural geography.

The full address is:

2229 Pennsylvania Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217, USA

Accessibility is a clear priority at The Avenue Bakery, making it welcoming for all Maryland customers. The location features both a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot. This is complemented by the availability of free parking—both a dedicated parking lot and free street parking—ensuring a quick and convenient visit. The store hours are generally accommodating, opening early and staying open through the afternoon Monday through Saturday (typically 7 AM to 6 PM), though Sunday closures are standard, making it an excellent stop for a quick morning treat or afternoon visit.

Services Offered

The Avenue Bakery focuses on providing a convenient and friendly service model centered around its freshly baked products:

• In-store Shopping: The primary service, allowing customers to peruse the delightful selection of freshly baked goods and enjoy the historical displays within the lobby.
• Takeout: Perfect for a quick visit, customers can easily grab their favorite rolls, pies, or cakes to enjoy at home or on the go.
• In-store Pickup: Customers can place special orders for whole pies, cakes, or dozens of Poppay's Rolls and pick them up efficiently at the store.
• Fresh Coffee Service: The bakery offers a selection of hot beverages, including regular and decaf Coffee, Lattes, Espresso, Hot Tea, and Hot Chocolate, ideal for pairing with a pastry.
• Catering and Custom Orders: Full specialty cakes, whole pies, and large quantities of rolls can be ordered for all occasions, requiring customers to inquire for pricing and availability.
• Payment Flexibility: The bakery accepts all major forms of payment, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and modern NFC mobile payments, making transactions quick and easy.

Features / Highlights

What truly distinguishes The Avenue Bakery from other spots in Maryland is the combination of its signature products and its unwavering commitment to local heritage:

• Home of “Poppay's Rolls”: This is the defining feature of the bakery. These enormous, buttery soft bread rolls, often described as a "little slice of heaven," are baked fresh every morning and have become a regional delicacy, selling well over 85,000 to customers across the state and beyond in the first few years alone.
• Cultural Hub and Heritage Trail Anchor: The bakery's lobby and outdoor area are dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the Pennsylvania Avenue Black Arts & Entertainment District, making a visit a unique, educational, and cultural experience.
• The Sweet Potato Specialties: The sweet potato pie is a crowd favorite and is often cited alongside Poppay's Rolls as a must-try item. The bakery also features Sweet Potato Muffins and a Sweet Potato Cake, leaning into a distinctly Southern and comforting flavor profile.
• Affordability and Value: Customers consistently highlight the excellent value of the baked goods. For instance, a whole Lemon Pound Cake—described as being made like "Granny used to make"—is available for a highly affordable price, making high-quality treats accessible.
• Scratch-Made Desserts: A commitment to making their delicious pies, cakes, and muffins from scratch using only the finest ingredients ensures a superior, homemade taste in every product.

Contact Information

Maryland residents and visitors can connect with The Avenue Bakery using the following contact information for general inquiries, placing orders, or confirming current hours of operation:

Address: 2229 Pennsylvania Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217, USA

Phone: (410) 225-3881

Mobile Phone: +1 410-225-3881

What is Worth Choosing: Menu Specialties

If you are planning your first trip to this historic Baltimore bakery, or are a loyal customer looking for a new favorite, here is a curated list of specialties that come highly recommended:

The Essential Must-Try:

• Poppay's Rolls: Whether you choose the White or Wheat variety, these signature rolls are the reason the bakery has earned its fame. They are coated with the finest grade of butter and baked to a golden brown with an irresistible airy center. A dozen is a necessary purchase for any family ($13.50).

Pies and Cakes (The Comfort Classics):

• Sweet Potato Pie: Widely recognized as a crowd favorite, this pie embodies the bakery’s dedication to traditional American and Southern-influenced baking. Whole pies are available for $14.00.
• Pecan Pie: Customer reviews praise this pie as "AMAZING," making it a strong contender, particularly when paired with a cup of their fresh Coffee.
• Lemon Pound Cake / Butter Pound Cake: Available by the slice ($2.75) or whole ($12.50), these cakes are cherished for their authentic, homemade quality and comforting flavor. The affordability of the whole cake is an excellent value proposition.
• Specialty Cakes: For events and gatherings, inquire about their full selection which includes Coconut, German Chocolate, Sweet Potato Cake, and Strawberry Shortcake.

Smaller Treats and Pastries:

• Snickerdoodle Cookies: Described in reviews as "wafer crisp and light," these cookies offer a delightful crunch and classic cinnamon-sugar flavor, available for only $0.75 each.
• Muffins: The Cinnamon Apple, Sweet Potato, and Blueberry muffins are all made from scratch and offer a rich, fresh start to any morning ($3.60 each).
• Croissant: A light and buttery treat, these are available plain or glazed and are an affordable choice for a French-style pastry with an American flair ($2.10 each).

The Avenue Bakery is more than just a place to satisfy a craving; it is a genuine, community-focused Maryland treasure that invites patrons to connect with a powerful local history while enjoying some of the most comforting and delicious baked goods in the state.

The Avenue Bakery

2229 Pennsylvania Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217, USA