Cullman Tribune, July 3, 1941:
Robin Sterling post:
[More on the Duchess Bakery, Cullman landmark]. The Duke of Cullman. By Oliver L. Steele. Why not? He owns the Duchess Bakery in Cullman. Alvin F. Gasser is his name, but “Al” is the way they greet him. Everybody from the oldest resident to the latest newcomer knows Al Gasser. He was born in Cullman County, grew up there, went to school, and has worked there all his 29 years.
One day Mr. Gasser was in a grocery store waiting to see the proprietor. He heard a lady ask for fresh rolls and she wanted them hot. Also, she wanted a cake for Martha Sue’s birthday. She was a busy woman and didn’t have time to make them herself. This lady wanted the cake all decorated with Martha Sue written in pink and places for six candles. The clerk was sorry; he had fresh rolls, but they were not hot. The cake, too, was fresh. “Yes, we ought to have a good bakery in Cullman,” he said to the lady.
Al Gasser, who was then a salesman for the Sunshine Biscuit Company, heard the whole conversation. Right then, he had an idea. What Cullman needs is a good home-town bakery, where a woman can get hot rolls, fresh doughnuts, cookies, pies, and cakes made to order, all decorated for Marth Sue, or Billie, just to suit her fancy.
Next morning, Mr. Gasser went out on his regular trip but all the time he was thinking, “Cullman needs a good bakery.” He couldn’t get it off his mind.
It was less than three years ago when he started, and he has given his home town folks a good bakery, where they can get, from the oven, anything they want. Of course, Mr. Gasser started out with a small place—a little gas-fired oven and a lot of hand work. Today, the Duchess Bakery has moved into a new home, with plenty of room, modern machinery and a big new oven.
The Duchess Bakery has an up to day retail store on the main shopping street, where you may walk in and look around at whole glass filled with tempting, good things to eat.
The Duchess moved to its location on the Stiefelmeyer block in 1940.
Cullman Tribune, 1950 Note Files - Herman C. (Tex) Hett has purchased Duchess Bakery from Al Gasser. Troy Bontrager, Herman Tankersley, James Legg, Linda Gasser and Mrs. Dora Pesnell will remain with the business.
Our Story Since 1939
Nothing brings people together like freshly made doughnuts, and at The Duchess Bakery, we're privileged to be part of that tradition. The Duchess Bakery has been an integral part of Cullman since 1939. After the Bontrager family passed along his family’s famous doughnut recipe and bakery to Jason and Stephanie Neal and Roger Rich. Our team shares the belief that every doughnut we produce should be made with care, using only the finest ingredients and techniques. For over 85 years, we have provided the Cullman community with doughnuts that are always fresh and delicious. As owners of The Duchess Bakery since 2020, we're excited to carry on the tradition and welcome you to our bakery!
