by James Rada, Jr.; photography by Emilie Weaver
Customers were disappointed when Heinz Bakery in Westminster closed last year after 42 years in business. Where would go for fresh-baked breads and treats? Then, last Thanksgiving, anyone passing by could tell by the aroma that baking was back on West Main Street.
JeannieBird Baking Company is now open for business, selling scones, biscuits, focaccia, frangipane, Baltimore peach cake and more.
Owners Jeannie Vogel and her husband, Bernie, are familiar faces in town. They have been selling baked breads and rolls at the Westminster Farmers’ Market for the past four years.
“We loved the market, and people liked what we had to offer,” says Vogel. “By our third year, we were making as much as we could and still selling out after only an hour or so.”
She decided that she needed a commercial kitchen and additional help, and she set out to find the perfect location. The former Heinz bakery was it.
Vogel says that, although she has won over many of Heinz’s customers, some people still come in looking for doughnuts — which JeannieBird doesn’t bake — and go away disappointed. But the ones who are willing to try a scone or a tart might find themselves well rewarded.
JeannieBird will still be a presence at the Westminster Farmers’ Market, and Vogel hopes to expand into other area markets this year.
Business Bits
JeannieBird Baking Company
42 West Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157 • 443/201-8538 • www.jeanniebird.com
-Vogel considers butterhorns her signature baked good.
-JeannieBird uses ingredients from local farms and orchards when possible.
-JeannieBird doesn’t cater but will supply to-go trays of baked goods.
-The menu includes breakfast sandwiches, and Vogel is increasing her offerings to include lunch items like piccolo sandwiches.
-Vogel learned to cook from her grandmother, a home economics teacher.
-Vogel worked her way up through the restaurant ranks, finally becoming a pastry chef at restaurants like The Kings Contrivance restaurant in Columbia and Snaffles in Frederick.
-Vogel met her husband, Bernie, at the restaurant where they both worked.
-Want the right wine to go with that bread? Bernie teaches wine education classes in Carroll Community College’s personal enrichment program.
