C. Winkler Bakery
C. Winkler Bakery is a bakery on South Main Street in Old Salem, North Carolina. Now the oldest continually operating bakery in North Carolina,[1] it was established in 1799 by the Moravian Church, and is named for Christian Winkler, a Swiss-born baker, who began working there in 1807,[1][2] after replacing original baker Thomas Butner Jr.[3] The building, which now has a landmark designation, was constructed by Salem's master builder and mason Johann Gottlob Krause,[2] shortly before his death.[4] Its first story is built of uncut stone; the upper levels, of hand-made brick.[5]
C. Winkler Bakery | |
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Restaurant information | |
Established | 1799 |
Owner(s) | Old Salem Museum and Gardens |
Previous owner(s) | Christian Winkler |
Street address | South Main Street |
City | Old Salem |
State | North Carolina |
Country | U.S. |
Coordinates | 36.0881°N 80.2420°W |
Winkler and his third wife, Elizabeth,[3] lived in the building with their six children. Their descendants lived in the property until 1926.[6][7]
The bakery, which was restored to its original appearance in 1968,[2] has been owned since 1963 by Old Salem Museum and Gardens. The workers arrive before dawn each day to start up the oven,[8] which is fueled by wood, as it was originally.[6] By around 7.30 am, the fire has normally faded, with the oven's bricks fully heated. The oven temperature at that point is around 700 °F (371 °C), but has to be left to cool to around 400 °F (204 °C).[9]
Winkler Book and Gift Store opened on the second floor of the building in April 2023.[10]
A commercial kitchen was established off-site to accommodate the volume of the bakery's sales. Moravian sugar cake is the bakery's most popular item.[11]
Personnel
Terry Ramsbotham is the bakery manager.[12][13] Bobby James was the head baker in the early 21st century,[11][12][14] assisted by Jeffrey Sherrill.[15]
See also
References
- Castrodale, Jenny (2022-12-22). "This Bakery Has Used the Same Gingerbread Recipe Since 1807 — Here's the Secret". Food & Wine. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- "Local Historic Landmark Program" – City of Winston-Salem
- "June 1: Happy Birthday! William P. Winkler". Winston-Salem. 2014-06-01. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- "Krause, Johann Gottlob (1760-1802)". ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- North Carolina: A Guide to the Old North State. US History Publishers. 1939. ISBN 978-1-60354-032-2.
- "Winkler Bakery, est. 1807". Old Salem Museums & Gardens. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- Bower, Jennifer Bean; Gardens, Old Salem Museums and (2006). Moravians in North Carolina (in Italian). Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-4329-1.
- Bringle, Jennifer (2021-12-01). "Savoring The Timeless Taste of Moravian Cookies". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- Castrodale, Jenny (2022-12-22). "This Bakery Has Used the Same Gingerbread Recipe Since 1807 — Here's the Secret". Food & Wine. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- Reporter, JOHN HINTON Staff (2023-04-25). "The retail store at Old Salem Museums and Gardens has reopened". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- Winkler Bakery - Old Salem, NC, retrieved 2023-06-29
- Old Salem Bakery, retrieved 2023-06-29
- Firesheets, Tina. "Reenactors Go All-in to Bring the Past to Life". Carolina Country. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
- "Unearthed: Winkler Bakery Offers a Sweet History Lesson". Our State. 2015-11-18. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
- "Old Salem Museums & Gardens Magazine by Old Salem Museums & Gardens - Issuu". issuu.com. 2016-02-23. Retrieved 2023-06-29.