How It Began

A Legacy Baked Into Every Loaf

The story of Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe isn’t just a business tale — it’s a story of family, tradition, hard work, and a love for baking passed down through generations. Long before the first kringle came out of our ovens, Uncle Mike grew up surrounded by the sights, smells, and sounds of a working bakery. Baking was in his blood. As a third-generation baker, he learned early on that the secret to great baking wasn’t just ingredients or recipes — it was passion, care, and a deep respect for the craft.

After college, he attended baking school to build on the foundation his family had given him. Then he spent 13 years working in the family bakery, mastering the skills and developing the vision that would shape his future. He and his wife Mary shared a dream: to create a bakery of their own that combined old-fashioned baking techniques with the warm, personal service of a neighborhood shop.

2001: A Dream Rises in De Pere

In 2001, that dream became a reality. Uncle Mike and Mary opened the doors of their first bakery in De Pere, Wisconsin. It was small but mighty — built on long hours, endless batches of dough, and the belief that people notice when something is made with care.

From the very beginning, Uncle Mike insisted on using top-quality ingredients and classic methods. No shortcuts. No compromises. He believed in baking from scratch, sourcing locally whenever possible, and greeting every customer with a smile. His philosophy was simple but powerful: if you put your heart into every product, people will taste the difference.

The response from the community was overwhelming. Lines grew longer, word spread faster, and what started as a local bakery became a destination for anyone who loved good, honest baking.

Growing With Heart

Just three years later, in 2004, Uncle Mike’s opened its second location in Suamico. With the new shop came more ovens, more bakers, and more opportunities to share the magic. But even as the business expanded, the heart of the bakery remained the same. Each location carried forward Uncle Mike’s belief in handcrafted quality — whether it was a tray of warm donuts, a perfectly iced cake, or the kringle that would soon make the bakery famous far beyond Wisconsin.

Uncle Mike’s commitment to excellence didn’t go unnoticed. Over the years, the bakery earned more than 100 awards for its baking and cake decorating, including multiple national titles and the prestigious North American Kringle Competition Grand Champion. These honors weren’t just trophies on a shelf — they were a reflection of the hard work and pride that went into every single pastry.

The Kringle That Stole Wisconsin’s Heart

Although the bakery offered a full range of breads, donuts, cookies, and cakes, one pastry rose to legendary status: the kringle. A Wisconsin favorite with Danish roots, Uncle Mike’s kringle took tradition to a new level. Buttery, flaky layers filled with flavors like Sea Salt Caramel Pecan, Door County Cherry, and Chocolate Caramel Churro made each bite something special.

The kringle became more than a bakery item — it became a symbol. Families shipped them across the country for holidays. Companies sent them as gifts. Locals stopped in weekly to pick up their favorites. Uncle Mike’s kringle became a true Wisconsin treasure.

As popularity soared, the bakery expanded production to meet demand. A dedicated facility began running around the clock to make sure every kringle, donut, and loaf of bread reached each location fresh. What started as one little bakery in De Pere had grown into a regional name known for quality, care, and a lot of butter.

2020: A Legacy Lives On

In 2020, Uncle Mike passed away — a tremendous loss for the bakery, his family, and the community that had grown to love him. He wasn’t just the face of the business; he was its heart. His energy, his smile, and his dedication to doing things the right way were felt in every corner of the bakery.

But the legacy didn’t end with him. His wife Mary and their children, Brittni and Nathan, stepped forward with courage and love to carry on the dream. Together, they honored Uncle Mike’s memory by preserving the traditions he built while also guiding the bakery into its next chapter. Their mission has remained unchanged: to bake with heart, serve with warmth, and keep Uncle Mike’s spirit alive in every kringle, cookie, and cake.

A Fourth Generation Takes the Torch

Today, Brittni and Nathan represent the fourth generation of bakers in their family. Along with Mary and an incredible team of talented bakers, decorators, and staff, they continue to grow Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe while staying true to its roots. New locations — like the Appleton Food Emporium and the Kringle Shoppe in Buchanan — bring the bakery’s signature flavors to even more communities, while the production team works around the clock to meet daily demand.

Every day begins early, with flour in the air and coffee brewing. Dough is mixed, butter is folded, and ovens are filled with the same recipes and techniques that started it all. Customers can still walk in and be greeted with the familiar smell of fresh pastries and the warm welcome that defined the bakery from day one.

More Than a Bakery

Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe is more than a place to grab a donut or a kringle — it’s a community hub. Over the years, the bakery has supported countless fundraisers, partnered with local businesses, celebrated holidays, and created moments of joy for families across Wisconsin and beyond. The team is proud to share their products with customers across the country through shipping and events, spreading a little bit of Wisconsin warmth wherever the kringle travels.

The Story Continues

From a small shop in 2001 to a beloved multi-location bakery today, Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe stands as a tribute to tradition, family, and community. It’s a living legacy — one built with flour, sugar, butter, and a whole lot of heart.

Uncle Mike’s name lives on in every kringle we make, every smile we share, and every customer we serve. And while one chapter ended in 2020, the story is far from over. Mary, Brittni, Nathan, and the entire team continue to write the next chapters with the same passion and dedication that started it all.

This isn’t just a bakery. This is Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe. A family legacy. A Wisconsin original. A story still rising.