Herman's Bakery in Dundalk to close after 103 years

The family-owned business will shut its doors on March 31 due to health issues among owners.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 6:46pm

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After over a century in business, Herman's Bakery in Dundalk, Maryland will be closing its doors on March 31. The bakery, which was founded by the Herman family in 1923, has seen multiple generations work to keep the business running, but recent health issues among the current owners have led to the difficult decision to shut down.

Why it matters

Herman's Bakery was a beloved institution in the Baltimore area, known for its special desserts and cakes that had been enjoyed by families for generations. Its closure marks the end of an era for a long-standing family business and a staple in the local community.

The details

Harry Herman Jr., the current owner of Herman's Bakery, cited the declining health of family members as the primary reason for the bakery's closure. Several of the family members who have helped keep the business running over the years have fallen ill, prompting the decision to shut down the Dundalk location, which was the last remaining Herman's Bakery. The bakery first opened in Highlandtown in 1923 and expanded to multiple locations over the years under Harry Herman Sr.'s leadership.

  • Herman's Bakery will close its doors on March 31, 2026 after 103 years in business.
  • The bakery first opened in Highlandtown in 1923.

The players

Harry Herman Jr.

The current owner of Herman's Bakery, who cited family health issues as the reason for the bakery's closure after over a century in business.

Harry Herman Sr.

The previous owner of Herman's Bakery who oversaw the expansion of the business to multiple locations.

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What they’re saying

“Recently, a number of the family members have been stricken with illnesses. 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-TV 11 News)

“I've known about this place since I was a little girl. It's a staple. I came today to get a strawberry shortcake to show my support.”

— Margaret Franklin (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“I used to come here when I was a kid on Saturdays and Sundays, and when I heard on WBAL that it was closing, it was worth a trip of 80 miles up from the Eastern Shore just to see this place one last time.”

— Chris Dipasqua (WBAL-TV 11 News)

What’s next

The bakery will officially close its doors on March 31, 2026 after 103 years in business.

The takeaway

The closure of Herman's Bakery, a beloved Baltimore institution that had been family-owned for over a century, is a bittersweet moment that highlights the challenges family businesses can face as owners age and health issues arise. The outpouring of support from loyal customers underscores the deep community ties and special memories the bakery fostered over its long history.