Making Sweet Memories since 1924
About Us
Our Customers
Bloedow Bakery customers are a big part of us, so let us be honest for a minute. We know the Bloedow recipes are good, but it’s our customers that give us the passion to do what we do. The memories and stories we hear that involve Bloedow baked goods make us, US. We are proud to be a part of your day and included in your memories and traditions.
Our wonderful customers will stand in a line (a long line at that) in the rain and snow to ensure they get their favorites. That shows commitment. If you are committed to us like that—we will always be committed to you. We will continue to deliver the best quality products with the familiar flavors we all love. We are grateful to each and every one of our customers. Thank you!
So, what will you hear our customers say about us?
Ask any native Winonan and they will tell you Bloedow Bakery is a “must stop”. Many will even tell you that the bakery is the first AND last stop when visiting our beautiful town. They will also tell you that one donut is not enough.
One thing our customers always agree on is…once you’ve had a Bloedow donut, you will go back for more.
BUT, they can’t agree on which donut is best. “There are just too many “bests” to choose from.”
Bloedow fans are so devoted to our little bakery, they have created a group on Facebook dedicated to sharing Bloedow stories.
To say we are grateful to our customers is an understatement.
Our Story
A Dream Begins…
Ernest Bloedow’s dream became reality in 1924. A little bakery, located at 601 Sanborn Street in Winona, Minnesota, was born. With the help of his wife, Mary, their bakery became a family business. In 1925, the bakery moved to the corner of Broadway and Laird Streets, a former saloon, complete with a hitching post outside. Soon, the popular bakery became known as Bloedow’s Little Bake Shop on Broadway.
A Family Affair…
The bakery flourished and was passed down through the family to continue Ernest’s dream of offering baked goods to Winona. Ernest and Mary’s daughter, Mildred and her husband, Julius Gernes, assisted in the bakery operations and eventually purchased Bloedow Bakery in 1941. Mildred and Julius’ son, Ernest and his wife, Darleen, purchased the bakery in 1984, continuing to offer, what was now known as, Bloedow’s famous recipes.
The Dream Lives On…
In 2004, the bakery was sold to Hugh and Mary Polus, the first owners outside of the Bloedow family.
A baker at Bloedow Bakery since the age of 15, Hugh was mentored by Ernie and Darleen for almost 20 years to continue with the Bloedow tradition. While some customers may have been skeptical of the change, they were soon relieved to know that nothing would change with the Bloedow recipes. The Poluses are both native Winonans and grew up on Bloedow Bakery treats.
Winona’s own David & Goliath Story…Bakery Style
In December 2005, Winona residents taste-tested and the result became national news.
Less than two years after entering the Winona Market, the international doughnut colossus, Krispy Kreme, pulled its products from store shelves, ceding the territory to locally owned Bloedow’s. While their exit started out quietly, a local newspaper ran a story which was quickly picked up by the Associated Press and run across the country
We love our customers!
Because of them, Bloedow Bakery is Award-Winning!
We have been⇒
• awarded Winona’s Tourism People’s Choice Award in 2022.
• voted “Best of MN: Best Donut Shop” by WCCO-TV.
• named one of the “50 Finest Donut Shops in America” by Saveur Magazine.
• and highlighted in “Go Nuts for Minnesota Doughnuts” by Explore Minnesota.
Made with Pride
Everything is baked fresh daily and always will be.
We use Winona’s own Bay State Flour in all of our recipes.
Same Recipes Since 1924
Many of our recipes are original recipes used on opening day.
We have added many other specialties during our almost 100 years of baking.
Our Promise
To our customers and our hometown of Winona, Minnesota…
We will always continue to offer high-quality baked goods like no other.
Hours
Tuesday - Friday:
6:00 am - 3:00 pm
Saturday: 7:30 am - 2:00 pm
Visit Us
451 East Broadway
Winona, MN 55987
507 - 452 - 3682