West Bend, WI – The end of an era as a landmark sign is removed from W. Washington Street in West Bend, WI. On Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 10:45 a.m. Jeremiah Hembel captured the removal of the Hankerson’s Bakery sign. What’s your favorite Hankerson’s memory?
The bakery, which has been in operation since 1970 and has been in the family for three generations, was known for its donuts, hard rolls, coffee cakes, breads, cookies and more. The restaurant arm of the business opened in 1975.
Over the years Hankerson’s grew a dedicated following as many made morning breakfast a ritual, along with fresh donuts on Saturday and graduation cakes and birthday cakes from Hankerson’s were a family standard.
Hankerson’s closed in July 2024.
Hankerson’s got its start downtown at 130 N. Main St. At the time, they were one of three local bakeries that included Bauer’s at 227 N. Main and City Bakery, 326 N. Main St.
The location, 2107 W. Washington Street, in West Bend, will soon be home to a new venture as Lynn Ehnert Eldredge teams up with Jamie Selsing on a new establishment called Creative Brews which will feature coffee, bakery, and gifts.
According to Eldredge the new shop will sell items on consignment. After a commercial kitchen is installed, the shop will offer “simple grab-and-go breakfast and lunch options and an expanded bakery.”
Creative Brews is targeting a fall 2025 opening.
Below is a previous article from 2024 about Hankerson’s Bakery.
West Bend, WI – An iconic bakery in West Bend is closing its doors for good. Hankerson’s County Oven Bakery, 2107 W. Washington Street, West Bend, announced via their Facebook page that they will close their doors due to lack of employees and the stress on owner, Ryan Hankerson. The restaurant portion of the bakery closed in 2020.
Per the Hankerson’s Facebook page, “Hello valued customers, we had to make the tough decision to close for the health of our loved baker and owner Ryan as he has been doing so much on his own for the bakery with limited staff, it has essentially become too much for one person. We appreciate all your business and support over the years. Thank you.”
From raised glazed doughnuts to crispy hard rolls and delectable cookies, Hankerson’s had a plethora of bakery items that left one leaving the store than more they came in for. What was your favorite Hankerson’s Country Oven Bakery treat?
August 17, 2020 – West Bend, WI – Breakfast clubbers and Hankerson’s Country Oven fans should make plans to get in a final sweet and/or savory bite before the restaurant portion of this landmark West Bend business takes a temporary pause.
According to a post made by owner Ryan Hankerson on their Facebook page, “We cannot say enough thank you’s to all who have supported us, dined in or gotten carry-out these past few months.
We have been trying to keep things as normal as possible. But we are in times that are not “normal,” and so with heavy hearts we have come to the decision that we will be taking a break with our cafe operations.
Our official end date has not been firmly determined but will be ending soon.
We will no longer be offering dine-in or to-go cafe service moving forward at that time (official date to be determined).
While we do not have clear answers (just like the rest of the world) as to how long this break will be, we hope you can understand and support our decision as we all move forward on this new path together.
This was not a decision we ever saw having to make, but unfortunately it is one that is necessary at this time.
Please know that with your continued support, the bakery will continue to provide the same quality from-scratch baked goods you have known and loved since 1970.
Sincerely from our hearts with many thanks and love to our patrons.”
The bakery, which has been in operation since 1970 and has been in the family for three generations, will continue to produce the usual favorite donuts, hard rolls, coffee cakes, breads, cookies and more. The restaurant arm of the business opened in 1975.
Delicious wonderful memories for many years. Sadly, a third generation family owned business closed with the help of tragic world events.
After being employed at Hankerson’s for a few years surrounding that time it was heartbreaking news. I have been relieved to hear good news for some of my former coworkers with promising new adventures & opportunities. Prayers for all. Wish the new business opening much success. Blessings
I have to say that my favorite memory was…. the week after March 17, 2019. My father and I went there after my brother lost his life in a car accident. We had always gone to another restaurant, but knew, we didn’t want to hear “I’m Sooooo sorry” again that day. So we chose to go there. When we arrived, no one said “sorry for you loss”, they escorted us to a table next to a window, and Papi and I could just sit…eat…and actually TALK about what we wanted to talk about…helping with our grief. After we finished our breakfast, we sat FOREVER and waited for our bill. No bill came. We tried to find our waitress….nope, couldn’t find her. Out of nowhere, came this BEAUTIFUL veteran named Carol (and I remember her name because that was my mom’s name, and she passed away in 2014). She had explained that she had taken care of our bill, paying it forward. (My father was wearing his Marine Corps ballcap and it said “Korean War Vet”). We sat. We cried. My father and I both, when we left, realized that Carol was an angel sent to say “it’s going to be ok”. November 16, 2019, I lost my papi. I still think about Carol and giving my dad that “angel moment”. She made a mark in our lives. And I know, my father believed that she was sent by mom to say, “it’s ok”.