Portland is home to many historic buildings and businesses that are vital to the community. The rich history woven throughout the city is what makes Portland an iconic spot in the pacific northwest. On the northeast side of the city lies a quaint yet monumental business that has recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary. Helen Bernhard bakery is a woman-owned bakery that opened in 1924 on current-day Northeast Broadway. Despite the many changes with the building and within the surrounding community, this Portland staple has persevered as a pillar spot that holds fond memories dating back generations.
Bernhard moved into the house directly next door to the shop with her husband, a minister at the local church, years before she began her career. From a young age, Bernhard had a passion for concocting treats. She carried on with her baking for 15 years, selling desserts out of the garage of her house, before opening up her shop in 1942. Bernhard’s business quickly grew into a hotspot for celebratory cake services or just a simple quick snack. Bernhard’s reputation bled through the community as business began to pick up. When interviewing with KGW8 News, Michael Snaadt, the current owner of the bakery mentioned, “She was pretty fiery; she had men working for her. She was a short little German lady that was sweet, but also stern and knew how to run a business.”
Customers have been known to come for the cakes and treats and stay for the company. This shop has served generations of customers. Lea G, a long-time customer of Bernhard Bakery, wrote a review on the bakery’s main website detailing her family’s experience, saying, “My grandmother and her family have purchased their birthday cakes from Bernhard’s since it first opened. She was a teenager in 1923 at that time. She also bought her son’s birthday cakes (my father), and my cakes (granddaughter) from you [the bakery]. It is a family tradition and you truly make the best cakes that we have ever tasted!” This bakery is known for their wedding cakes having made thousands for couples across the state. Although the cakes are made by new people, the recipes remain the same since the first opening. Mike Snaadt said that they have 110 different original recipes in Bernhard’s handwriting. They have offered around 800 different items over the years. Halloween and Christmas season is when the cookies make their comeback in the shop whereas the news craze has been their selection of donuts and macarons. However, their cakes and cupcakes have remained a crowd-favorite over the years.
COVID hit the downtown Portland food scene hard, including Heleb Bernhard bakery. However the bakery pulled through by utilizing their place in the community. They shifted their focus to affordable, delicious homemade breads which became a commodity item. They even resorted to selling flour and yeast during the shortages and made humorous cakes like a toilet paper cake during the toilet paper shortage in 2020. This not only eased the tension in their community but also helped keep their business afloat.
Post-pandemic, the bakery is still serving bread amongst their normal sweet treats including cakes, cookies, and various other pastries. Their bestseller remains their chocolate cake, as it is an original Bernhard recipe and a staple for birthday parties and weddings. As they venture into more modern times, their more popular “convenient” dessert would be their donuts. With a small selection of classic flavors, their donuts have been a hit with their customers as of the past ten years.
Helen Bernhard moved into a house in northeast Portland after her marriage and began selling baked goods out of her garage. After 15 years of success, she officially opened a brick and mortar in 1924, 2024 marking the 100 year anniversary. This bakery has been a sweet spot in the community as generations have enjoyed their tasty treats. From wedding cake services to pick-me-up pastries, Helen Bernhard Bakery is a destination spot that all Portlanders would enjoy.
