Franke’s Bakery opened in 1914.
NO VISIT TO MONTGOMERY would be complete without a stop at Franke’s Bakery, noted for kolacky, a fruit-filled (or poppy seed-filled) pastry beloved by this community of mostly Czech descendants.
One busy place on a Saturday. To the left, Jule Franke and Mary Ann Kaisersatt work the counter.
In business for 99 years, this bakery bustles with customers dropping in for sweet treats, breads and coffee room chat.
This 18-month-old Montgomery resident stopped in with her dad, grandma and sister for a treat Saturday morning.
“You just missed your dad,” noted a baker parceling out sweets to a customer on a recent Saturday morning. “I saw him on the street.”
The beautiful exterior entry to Franke’s with a sign on the lower part of the door that reads: “Kolacky Days Celebration Czechoslovakian-American Heritage.” Montgomery celebrates Kolacky Days each July. You can bet this bakery is especially busy then preparing the ethnic pastry for the celebration.
Yes, this bakery, this south-central Minnesota community, is that kind of place, where everybody seemingly knows everybody and their whereabouts. And I mean that in the kindest of ways.
My Bavarian bismarck. FYI, Franke’s ships its baked goods, so feel free to order. The bakery makes this promise: “We bake our breads and rolls fresh everyday the old fashioned way without all those preservatives.”
Randy and I bopped in for 75-cent bismarcks, mine Bavarian (custard-filled), his raspberry, before continuing our perusal of Montgomery’s downtown business district.
Posted on businesses throughout downtown Montgomery, you will find photos and military biios of veterans. This is the Montgomery Veteran’s Project, a way of honor the town’s veterans.
When I noticed the lovely floral sign marking Herrmann (how non-Czech is that name?) Drug, Cards & Gifts, I just had to stop at this local pharmacy and general merchandise store marketing everything from shampoo to kitchenware to gifts and Titans school apparel.
The drugstore sells Titans apparel for the Montgomery-Lonsdale-Le Center school, Tri-City United.
My husband insisted I photograph these “Made in China” towels from American Mills and sold at Herrmann Drug. He wants me to submit this to Jay Leno.
I was impressed with the selection; no need to run to some Big Box store when you have Herrmann Drug. And how lucky this town of nearly 3,000 is to have a pharmacy…and so much more.
Herrmann Drug’s pharmacy is located at the rear of the store.
READERS: We’re not finished yet with our tour of Montgomery. Check back for two more posts. And if you missed my Montgomery stories from earlier this week, backtrack to Sunday and start reading.
To read a previous post on Franke’s Bakery, click here.
And to read about the Montgomery Veteran’s Project, click here.
© Copyright 2013 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Heh. I really should not have read this while drinking my first cup of morning coffee. I am now fighting a huge craving for something from the nearest bakery! Happy Friday, Audrey.
Good snowy morning to you, too, Kathleen. Let’s just say that bismarck was mighty tasty. Love everything about Franke’s Bakery. You can order from Franke’s, you know.
Oh, you temptress!
Now, I’ve never been called that before, that I can recall. Franke’s gets kolacky orders from all over.
Oh man….one of those bismarcks would taste great about now……finally getting some sense of taste back and it would go quite nicely with my coffee. Ah well….I will settle for enjoying your post bismarckless and save some calories.
A sweet for breakfast is a rare treat for me. With rare exception, I eat a bowl of fruit-laced oatmeal each morning.
That entry floor by the bakery door!! Awesome quilt pattern!! And now I’m REALLY in need of some pastry!!! Thanks a heap!!! 2+ snow out……ugh! (I know it could be worse!)
Only you would think “quilt pattern.” Love it. Show me when you’ve finished the quilt.
Yup, we have more snow here, too. Will it melt, or do I have to shovel? The second daughter is driving here from Appleton, Wisconsin, late this afternoon. Prayers for her safe travel would be appreciated. How are roads in your area? She’ll be traveling I-90.
Roads seem to be fine. Wet/melting. Plow went by but it was mostly shoulder snow……we don’t have a lot of traffic on our road. Where there’s more, I am sure the roads are just wet. Prayer “in force”! Off to LaCrosse…….
Thanks for the report and “prayers in force.” Enjoy your time in LaCrosse.
Driving is perfect! No snow east of Houston…..don’t know about north. Roads are dry, here! Hugs…..
Excellent. Roads are clear here, too. I only have to shovel the driveway now because the snow melted off the sidewalk. Yeah! Procrastination pays.
:-b
Thanks for the close-up of the donut – YUM:) Love exploring towns and supporting local businesses, especially for a sweet treat. I enjoy the look of a bakery that has stood the test of time – so comforting and welcoming. Thanks so much for sharing – Great Captures! Happy Friday:)
That close-up of the bismarck was just for you, Renee.
I DO Appreciate That – THANKS!!!
Awww, nothing like a small hometown bakery. They are the best! Not sure if I’d be able to cloose between the Bavarian or the raspberry…love them both. I showed Rick your photo of the “American mills” towel (made in China) I almost choked laughing so hard. That just struck me as very very funny!
And leave it to my funny, funny husband to notice the label, because I sure did not.