Indulge in an evening of sweet stories, custom treats, and a behind-the-scenes look at where the magic happens at Chicago's longest continuously operated family-owned bakery.
Join Atlas Obscura for the first-ever tour of Humboldt Park's Roeser's Bakery, owned and operated by the Roeser family since 1911. Fourth generation baker John Roeser IV will share stories from his great-grandparents, John and Hattie Roeser, about their journey from Germany through England to operate a business during a time when supplies were delivered by horse and wagon and refrigeration had not yet come along. You'll see the 1940s large-scale mixers (and the engineering challenges that come with them) in action, as well as modern tools, like the airbrush that gives decorated cakes their electric colors. For the cherry on top, you'll end the tour with a baking demo and a sampling of classic Roeser's treats.
Roeser’s Bakery has been serving baked goods and sweet treats from the same location on North Avenue since its opening in 1911. While the bakery’s location and the Roeser family’s ownership have remained the same, the community it serves has radically changed over the past 100 years, from its earliest customers reflecting the German and Scandinavian immigrants moving into the neighborhood to the Puerto Rican community that calls Humboldt Park home today. Roeser’s is open six days every week and sells everything from a loaves of rye bread and Pastelillos de Guayaba to birthday cakes with electric blue “Frozen” themes.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
- There is free parking in the Roeser's lot just west of the bakery.
- The #72 Harlem bus stops at North and Kedzie avenues.
- The event is ADA accessible.
- This ticket is not refundable, but you can transfer it to someone else by using this handy Eventbrite tutorial.
Questions?
Email Bonnie Tawse at bonnie.tawse@atlasobscura.com.
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Advance tickets only. All sales final. No refunds or exchanges.
