Alfred Nickles Bakery

THE ALFRED NICKLES BAKERY STORY

Since 1909, Alfred Nickles Bakery has expanded its distribution area to meet the needs of customers in six Midwestern states. Millions of customers have enjoyed the freshly baked breads, buns, rolls, cakes, donuts, and almost every baked food imaginable.

From a small one-man shop, the Nickles system now consists of three high-speed modern bakeries and 27 distribution branches.

It all started in 1909, when Alfred Nickles immigrated to the United States from Switzerland after serving a baking apprenticeship and being awarded the distinction of “Master Baker.”

After settling in New Philadelphia, Ohio, Alfred Nickles moved to Navarre, Ohio, and opened his business, the Navarre Bakery and Ice Cream Company. There was no “day off” in the early years, as everyone’s help was needed each day.

In the early years, Alfred, his wife Emma, and Emma’s sister Ida Baumgartner, ran the bakery day and night. All three shared the day-to-day chores, which included firing the ovens with big logs that local farmers would bring to the bakery.

As the business grew on merits of the fine baked goods produced, the delivery system evolved from hand-wheeled carts, to horse-drawn delivery wagons, to the first automobile delivery truck in 1914.

During the ensuing years of expansion, additional bakeries were established in Ohio in Martins Ferry and Lima.

Today a fleet of over 400 trucks delivers fresh baked goods throughout the Midwest. The family-owned company continues to value its reputation of high quality consistency and first class service as it’s primary objectives.