Herman's Bakery, A Baltimore Institution Since 1923, To Close In 2026

Herman's Bakery & Catering, whose family roots stretch back to a Highlandtown storefront opened in 1923, announced Tuesday that it will close its Dundalk location permanently on March 31, ending more than a century of baking in the Baltimore region.

The Herman family posted the news on Facebook, writing: "After more than a century of baking, Herman's Bakery is officially retiring. Our family wishes to thank our loyal customers for their support over the last 103 years. This comes with a lot of thought and a very heavy heart. We appreciate the support and understanding. Our final day will be March 31. It has been an honor to serve you and the community for over 103 years with our six generations of family proudly operating in the Baltimore region."

The Dundalk location, which Harry J. Herman Sr. opened in 1958 after spending two decades working at his father's Highlandtown bakery, Harry's, will be the last of the family's seven Baltimore-area locations to close. In the years following that 1958 opening, Herman Sr. expanded the business into Herman Enterprises, operating locations across the Baltimore metropolitan area, including a Towson bakery still photographed in 2003. He died that same year at age 85, and his son Harry J. Herman Jr. took over the operation.

The bakery built its reputation on custom-made decorated cakes, pastries, pies, Danish, buns and European ethnic holiday desserts, with marshmallow doughnuts, strawberry shortcake and chocolate fudge-top cookies among its most popular offerings.

The Dundalk location will have operated for 68 years when it serves its final customers at the end of March, the last chapter of a family baking legacy that began with a single Highlandtown shop more than a century ago.