Local Bakery Has Problem With Dough

September 2, 9:54 AMSouth St. Paul ExaminerRob Shirk

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We walked into Joe's Bakery at least ten years ago and we still remember the response of our four year old son who had never been there. His nose had never been greeted by such aromas and he was absolutly floored when he first caught hold of that bakery smell. 

Joe's Bakery has been around for years dispensing the very best glazed, cake, and frosted doughnuts. So...you want a jelly filled danish? No problem. How about a turnover or a long john? With or without custard? Every confection they have is fabulous. The choices at Joe's are well contained, however. There is no illusion of health benefits and I doubt they'd even know what a scone is, much less endorse it. These are not "pastries". They're doughnuts for gosh sakes. They're our baker, not our doctor.

As I've menioned, Joe's has been a fixture on 5th Avenue South for years. It's in a small brick building dating back past WWll, I think. There is an apartment on the 2nd floor. As you enter, you are standing in a cramped space, not ready to hold more than five or six people comfortably at any one time. The is room for only two display cases and the kitchen is visible in the back. There's no room for tables and if you want to sit and have a coffee you'd be out of luck. The front seat of your car or truck will have to do. They still call you "honey" and "sweetie".

Then the doors were closed. I don't know the details except that there was a sign on the door saying that they'd be relocating further down 5th Avenue on South Street in an older strip mall and that they hoped we'd see them there. I have passed by the new location often to see the progress. It's been slow. Hand written signs tell us "For Sure By The End of the Month"! But they still are dark. About a week or so ago we noticed a sign that proclaimed that their financing fell through. If the raised glazed chocolate doughnuts wouldn't kill me, the dagger in my heart would.

The messages keep changing and now it seems that things are back on track for opening soon. I really want them back. I miss the bakery smell that is impossible to obtain through a 7-11 or SuperAmerica. I want to be called "sweetie" again. The reports that the bismarks have been sunk may be premature. They might be rolling in dough and be up and running soon.