Baltimore's 103-Year-Old Herman's Bakery Closing Down

The beloved family-owned bakery is shutting its doors for good at the end of March.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 5:39pm

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After over a century of serving the Baltimore region, the iconic Herman's Bakery and Catering is closing its doors for good on March 31. The bakery, which has been family-owned and operated for six generations, announced the difficult decision on Facebook, citing the declining health of some family members as the primary reason for shutting down.

Why it matters

Herman's Bakery was a beloved institution in the Baltimore community, known for its high-quality baked goods and long history. Its closure marks the end of an era and the loss of a cherished local business that had been a fixture in the region for over a century.

The details

Herman's Bakery first opened its doors in Highlandtown in 1923 and expanded to seven locations throughout the years, with the Dundalk storefront being the last remaining. The bakery's owner, Harry Herman Jr., told WBAL that the decision to close came as some family members have fallen ill and the family felt it was best to shutter the business to protect its reputation.

  • Herman's Bakery first opened in Highlandtown in 1923.
  • The Dundalk location opened in 1958 and was the family's last remaining storefront.
  • The bakery announced it will be closing its doors for the last time on March 31, 2026.

The players

Herman's Bakery and Catering

A beloved family-owned bakery that has served the Baltimore region for over 103 years, with six generations of the Herman family operating the business.

Harry Herman Jr.

The current owner of Herman's Bakery, who cited the declining health of some family members as the primary reason for the bakery's closure.

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What they’re saying

“Our family wishes to thank our loyal customers for their support over the last 103 years. This comes with a lot of thought and a very heavy heart.”

— Herman's Bakery (Facebook)

“Some of them are getting a little older as time goes on, so we, as a family business, made a decision that it was probably best for us to close so as to not have our reputation maybe tarnished over time.”

— Harry Herman Jr., Owner, Herman's Bakery (WBAL)

The takeaway

The closure of Herman's Bakery, a beloved Baltimore institution for over a century, is a poignant reminder of the challenges facing family-owned businesses and the importance of preserving local culinary heritage. While the loss will be deeply felt by the community, the bakery's legacy will live on in the memories and recipes it has left behind.