When I came looking for a house to rent in Bremen in 2019, I mentioned to my now-landlady that my father was born into a baker's family. The family bakery, Bäckerei Jünemann, was located in the Neustadt quarter of Bremen.
"Bäckerei Jünemann?!" my landlady exclaimed. "They used to have the best cheesecake in Bremen!"
And that's the story of how she decided to rent her house to us.
At the far right is my Uncle Heinz.
The Story of Bäckerei Jünemann
The story of Bäckerei Jünemann begins with my grandfather, Heinrich Jünemann, who was born in 1910 in Eichsfeld, Duderstadt, near Göttingen. His father, a roofer, died in a workplace accident, and his mother passed away shortly after. Orphaned at just eight years old, he was sent to an orphanage near Hannover.
At the age of 14, he began a baker's apprenticeship in Bremen.
He later met my grandmother, Maria Stolowski, whose family came from Silesia (now part of Poland). They married in 1937, and their first son, Heinrich (called Heinz), was born in 1938.
During the Second World War, my grandfather served in Italy, where he was injured and sent back to Germany. He and my grandmother went on to have two more sons, Willehad (b. 1941) and Wolfgang (b. 1943)-both conceived during short periods when my grandfather was on leave.
My grandmother Maria is remembered as a hardworking and efficient woman. Raising three children alone during wartime was incredibly difficult. My Uncle Heinz recalls how, at age six, he came back late to meet his mother in a bunker with his brothers. On arrival, she slapped him and told him:
"Deine Brüder dürfen das, aber du musst funktionieren!"
("Your brothers can be late, but you-as the eldest-must function!")
In 1944, during a bomb raid, my grandmother spent the day in a bunker beneath Bremen Cathedral. When she returned, their apartment had been destroyed. My eldest uncle remembers pushing a pram with his baby brother through the bombed streets of Bremen, searching for shelter at their grandparents' house.
After the war, my grandfather briefly worked for the police before leasing a bakery in Bremen's Schopenhauerstraße in 1947. My father, Bernhard, was born in 1950 as the youngest of the children. In 1959, they built their new bakery on Thedinghauser Straße-Bäckerei Jünemann.
All of my uncles became bakers. My father was the exception-he became a journalist, although as a boy, it was his job to deliver bread rolls on his bicycle.
Uncles Heinz and Wolfgang became Bäckermeister (master bakers), and Uncle Willehad was a Konditormeister (master pastry chef).
Uncle Heinz later moved to Berlin and became the CEO of the German Bakers' Guild. Uncle Willehad took over the bakery after my grandfather passed away in 1972 at the age of 62. After my grandmother's death in 1989, he continued to run the bakery as its sole owner.
Tragically, my Uncle Wolfgang died of colon cancer in 1985, at the young age of 42.
There are some stories from my Uncle Willehad that I found particularly fascinating. After the war, few households had functioning ovens, so people would bring their cakes to the bakery for him to bake. The problem, he said, was that every recipe was different. So, he would rework each dough to ensure it would bake properly-he didn't want customers to be disappointed.
His younger brothers were in charge of labeling and organizing the cakes so each customer went home with the right one.
What I remember
grew up in Frankfurt, far from the bakery in Bremen. But I remember visiting-the smell of freshly baked bread, and my uncle waking up at 1 a.m. every day to start his work.
Most of all, I remember his cookie stand. He made the best Schwarz-Weiß-Gebäck, Florentines, Speculatius, and other delicious treats.
My Uncle Willehad retired in 2004, and there was no one in the family willing to take over the bakery. Small bakeries in Germany face increasing challenges competing with supermarkets. People often aren't willing to pay what handmade cookies and cakes are worth.
Today, the premises are leased to a larger bakery, which produces its goods off-site and sells them there.
I try to keep some of the old recipes alive by posting them on this blog and sharing them with you.
Susanna Hemme says
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful family story.
Hello aus Canada.
Susanna
Marita Sinden says
You are welcome! I am glad you found it interesting.
Birgitt Noble says
How wonderful that you are doing this and it was a joy reading about your family of bakers. I was born in Butzbach and my mom in Hotensleben and we came to America in 1959. Sadly she would never discuss things with me or teach me how to cook our wonderful food. Thank you
Marita Sinden says
Hello Brigitte, oh that is sad, but hopefully you will find lots of useful recipes on here.
Victoria says
Thank you so much for sharing!. Do you have all the recipes from the bakery?.
Btw., are you of full German descent?, your father is half German and half Polish am I right?, what is your mom's descent?. Were you born in the US? God bless 🩷🩷🩷
Marita Sinden says
Hi Victoria! Thanks for your feedback. I have many of the recipes but not all. My mother was Filippina you can read more about me on my about me page. Best Wishes Marita
Monica says
Thank you for sharing your family history and recipes.
Marita Sinden says
You are welcome!
Anneliese Ross says
Thank you for sharing your family history. I can identify with some of your story. My father was a baker too. It is hard work. We also used to take our cakes across the street to be baked. It brings back a lot of memories.
Love all your recipes. Best wishes, Marita!
Marita Sinden says
Yay for coming from a baker families! I am glad you find it interesting 🙂
Monica Hailes says
What a wonderful story. And what a legacy you have.
I am a second generation German living in Queensland, Australia.
Both my parents were born in Bremen and migrated to Australia in 1952. I was born in 1956 followed by my brother in 1962.
We still have a few relatives in Bremen, mostly second cousins.
We have visited many years ago and were captivated by its beauty.
Thanks for sharing all your lovely memories. It means a lot to me as so much of it reminds me of my upbringing. Whilst born in Australia, so many of our meals were German.
Monica
Marita Sinden says
You are welcome. I am glad you find the story interesting.Best Wishes
Marita
Meriel powell says
Mouth watering recipes and now we understand why you are such a wonderful cook and brilliant daughter in law. We are so lucky to be part of your family and indulge in your delicious meals at your table. A real blessing . What about sharing that amazing secret recipe we had last night?! Thankyou Marita
Amber says
Oh this was lovely to read! Thank you for sharing your family history with us!!! I hope you continue to share stories like this in the future.
Marita Sinden says
Hi Amber, thanks! I am glad you found it intresting!
Carol Basson says
How nice to be able to follow your family history. They were all important and loved members of the community. I am looking forward to trying some of these recipes. Have already made some of your others. Many thanks for taking time to write these stories.
Joseph says
Marita, thank you for writing such a beautifully heartfelt article. I truly enjoyed reading about your family and their business. And thank you for sharing those tangible memories with the recipes from your family. What a treasure.
Marita Sinden says
Thank you Joseph, I am glad you enjoyed the article. Best Wishes Marita
Chris VAN EPPS says
Great family. The apple does not fall far from rhe tree. You are a SUPER baker
Pretty wedding dress.
I wish i could cook and bake bring back my roots...No oven and food stamps go too fast for good tasty german food. No one eats my food.
Take care Alot of health issues in your family becareful yourself.
Marita Sinden says
HI Thanks Chris thanks for your kind comments!
Best Wishes
Marita