Van de Kamp’s Holland Dutch Bakeries – The Windmill Empire
Van de Kamp’s Holland Dutch Bakeries was founded in 1915 as a Los Angeles potato chip stand by Theodore J. Van de Kamp, his sisters Marian and Henrietta, and Henrietta’s husband Lawrence L. Frank, all recent transplants from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The first stand was operated from an eight foot frontage at 236 ½ South Spring Street adjacent to the Saddle Rock Café – the very heart of Los Angeles at the time.
Due to a potato shortage during World War One, the family began producing baked goods such as coffee cakes and apple pies. They then outgrew the chip shops and expanded their baked goods and coffee shop chain. The company’s trademark blue windmills featured on their bakery store signs and atop their chain of restaurants that were known throughout the region. The restaurants were designed by Harold Bissner Jr. Its slogan was to capitalize on the association with Dutch cleanliness and freshness: “Made Clean, Kept Clean, Sold Clean”.
At the company’s height, 320 Van de Kamp’s Holland Dutch Bakers dotted the West Coast from California to Washington. Following the death of Theodore van de Kamp in 1956, the bakery was acquired by General Baking Company. The company was sold to private investors in 1979, and closed in bankruptcy in 1990. Today, only one windmill survives intact, atop a coffee shop (now a Denny’s) in Arcadia.
Bill Knapp’s – The Birthday Celebration Specialists
Bill Knapp’s was an American family restaurant chain. It was founded by Clinton B. Knapp (March 13, 1907 – October 15, 1974), in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1948. The chain operated in Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Illinois and Indiana, with more than 60 locations at its peak.
What made Bill Knapp’s legendary among families wasn’t just their comfort food – it was their unique birthday tradition. What made Bill Knapp’s a favorite for families was the generous birthday discounts. When you celebrated your birthday at Bill’s you’d receive a free birthday celebration cake and a discount on your bill equivalent to your age. In fact, in 2001 a Michigan man named Duane Hawkins celebrated his 101st birthday at Bill Knapp’s and not only was his meal free but the restaurant owed him money!
By the 1980s and 1990s, with the breakdown of extended families, the clientele was predominantly senior citizens. In 1998, after its sale to an entrepreneur from California, Bill Knapp’s instituted a “That was then, this is WOW” marketing campaign, as well as an overall revamp of the chain’s image. This modernization attempt backfired spectacularly. By the end of 2002, the chain’s last restaurant had closed.
La Petite Boulangerie – The Little French Bakery
La Petite Boulangerie never quite made it as one of America’s biggest bakery chains. Still, it boasted a mini-empire with over 140 locations at the height of its success, including in California, Colorado, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Translating to “The Little Bakery” from French, the casual breakfast chain served fresh French-style pastries like croissants as well as delicious warm baguettes.
Before Panera Bread – originally known as the St. Louis Bread company – rose to great heights, there was La Petite Boulangerie. Founded in San Francisco in 1977, the bakery chain brought the tastes of French pastries, breads, and other baked goods stateside. It was best known for its warm croissants and baguettes, plus you can’t forget about cups of coffee to wash them down.
La Petite Boulangerie was born in 1977 in San Francisco by Food Resources Inc., starting off with two bakeries before it was bought by the food industry giant PepsiCo in 1982. La Petite Boulangerie was originally owned by Food Resources Inc. but eventually transitioned through multiple owners. PepsiCo was at the helm for several years, and later, Mrs. Fields Original Cookies Inc. took over. Its sweet aroma and saccharine selection of treats won the hearts of many in the 1990s, but unfortunately, the sugary craze died down, and the popular breakfast chain disappeared at the turn of the century.
Crumbs Bake Shop – The Cupcake Empire
Crumbs Bake Shop got its start in 2003 as a small mom-and-pop style bakery located in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Driven by a booming cupcake trend at the time, the bakery was an immediate success and grew to a remarkable 70 stores in 10 states within a decade.
For a time, customers couldn’t get enough of the giant, sugary, candy topped cupcakes that came in decadent flavors such as Milkshake, Peanut Butter Cup, Cotton Candy, and strawberry pink “Cosmo.” These weren’t ordinary cupcakes – they were massive, Instagram-worthy creations that captured the zeitgeist of the mid-2000s dessert culture.
But much has been written about what Crumbs Bake Shop did wrong, and what led to the downfall of the once beloved chain. The company went public too quickly, expanded too rapidly, and failed to adapt when the cupcake craze inevitably cooled. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 2014, marking the end of an era for specialty dessert retail.
Mrs. Fields – The Mall Cookie Queen
Founded in 1977, Mrs. Fields quickly became a mall staple known for its soft, chewy cookies. Today, you might still find a Mrs. Fields, though not as frequently as before. Despite their delicious cookies, financial troubles and competition have led to many store closures.
During its peak, Mrs. Fields’ outlets were the go-to for a sweet treat during a shopping spree. However, as shopping habits shifted, so did the fate of these kiosks. The decline of traditional malls dealt a devastating blow to Mrs. Fields, as their business model depended heavily on foot traffic from shoppers.
Although the brand persists, its presence is a fraction of its former self, focusing on online sales and select locations. The warm aroma of fresh cookies that once drew customers from across food courts has largely become a memory of America’s mall culture heyday.
Corner Bakery Café – The Neighborhood Gathering Place
Corner Bakery Café was once a bustling spot for fresh pastries and cozy gatherings. Known for its friendly atmosphere, it became a staple in many communities. Financial difficulties and rising competition have led to a decrease in locations, leaving patrons longing for the days when Corner Bakery was their go-to spot for comfort food.
The chain offered an inviting alternative to fast food, with handcrafted sandwiches, soups, and baked goods that felt homemade. While some locations remain, the chain’s future appears uncertain, creating a sense of nostalgia for its heyday when it thrived as a beloved community hub.
Corner Bakery represented the perfect middle ground between quick service and quality food. Their downfall reflects broader challenges facing mid-tier restaurant chains in an increasingly polarized market.
Just Desserts – The West Coast Indulgence
In the ’80s, Just Desserts was a West Coast favorite for decadent cakes and cheesecakes. Known for its indulgent offerings, it quickly became a must-visit for sweet tooths. However, as the market shifted, the chain downsized.
The bakery embodied California’s dessert culture during the decade of excess, offering rich, elaborate desserts that made special occasions even more memorable. Their cheesecakes became legendary among locals, with flavors and presentations that rivaled high-end restaurants.
Just Desserts now focuses on distributing pre-packaged desserts in stores rather than operating full bakery locations. While the bustling bakery vibe has faded, the brand remains a cherished memory for those who experienced its rich flavors and inviting ambiance.
The Great American Cookie Company – Mall Cookie Specialists
Famous for its cookie cakes, the Great American Cookie Company was a mall staple. With its colorful stores and delicious offerings, it was a popular choice for celebrations and sweet cravings. Though the brand still exists, its presence has diminished since its peak in the ’90s.
Their cookie cakes became the go-to choice for office parties, birthday celebrations, and special events. The ability to customize messages and decorations made them a unique offering in the crowded dessert market.
Many of its locations have closed, leaving fewer spots to indulge in their iconic treats. The shift away from mall shopping and changing consumer preferences for artisanal baked goods contributed to their decline.
Entenmann’s Bakery Outlets – The Budget-Friendly Treasure
Once a haven for budget-conscious sweet lovers, Entenmann’s Bakery Outlets offered day-old cakes and pastries at reduced prices. These stores were a treat for those looking to enjoy quality baked goods without breaking the bank.
These outlet stores served a unique niche in the market, allowing families to enjoy premium baked goods at affordable prices. The concept of selling day-old products directly to consumers created a loyal following among thrifty shoppers who appreciated both the savings and the quality.
Despite the popularity, these outlets have mostly vanished. The rise of warehouse stores and changing distribution models made the traditional outlet store format less viable.
Howard Johnson’s – The Orange Roof Icon
For some 50-plus years the bright orange roof of Howard Johnson’s restaurants was a familiar sight along America’s interstates for hungry travelers. The chain became famous for their fried clams, which were served as strips rather than the entire clam (including the belly) which had previously been the standard. Kids loved their hot dogs, which were grilled in butter (the buns were toasted in butter as well), and everyone loved the ice cream, which contained twice the butterfat of traditional brands and was available in 28 flavors.
During the 1950s and 1960s, travelers loved to see the restaurant’s orange roof and steeple materializing in the distance – a scene that played out often, considering it boasted over 1,000 locations nationwide. This sight was filled with promises of comfort food like fried clam strips, frankfurters, chicken pot pies, and 28 different flavors of thick ice cream, including tastes like banana, fruit salad, caramel fudge, and peanut brittle.
The Marriott Corporation bought the chain in 1985 with an eye on the prime roadside real estate most HoJo’s occupied. They began dismantling the corporate-owned Howard Johnson’s restaurants and replaced them with motor lodges. The franchised outlets that remained suffered without corporate support and slowly went out of business, with a few staunch holdouts lasting until the early 21st century.
