The Paynesville Bakery, owned by Tom and Mary Hayenga, will officially close its doors on Thursday, April 30.The closing of the bakery will mark the end of an era for Paynesville. For as far back as many area residents can remember, there has always been a bakery in Paynesville. The Hayengas list personal reasons for the closing.
Hayenga has taken a job at Hi-Vee in Mankato. The family will move to Mankato after school is out in June. The Hayengas purchased the bakery on Jan. 1, 1989 from Harry and Carolyn Welter. They have seven part time employees and one full-time employee, Hugh Jones, a baker’s assistant.
The first bakery was located on the site of today’s public library. Phil Young moved to Paynesville from Excelsior in 1939 and purchased the bakery from Ina Berkley. In 1941, the bakery was moved to its present location on the west side of Washburne Avenue. Other former owners include Ed Knowlin and Pete Mjos.
Young owned the bakery from 1939 to 1966 when he sold it to his daughter and son-in-law Harry and Carolyn Welter. They owned the bakery from 1966 to 1989. “Over the years, I saw a lot of changes in the business from the new and improved ovens and mixers to type of merchandise people wanted,” Young said.
According to Bertha Zniewski, museum curator, the bakery building was moved into Paynesville from North Town.