Four Generations of Baking: Meet the Potter Family Bakers

 

In the charming town of Traverse City, Michigan, you will find a culinary institution that has not only delighted the palates of locals and visitors for generations but has also woven an enduring legacy of passion and dedication. The Potter family, a lineage of bakers, has lovingly crafted delectable treats that have become synonymous with warmth, tradition, and a taste of home. From the moment their ovens first breathed life into their creations to the present day, this remarkable family has continuously stirred the hearts and appetites of their community.

 

Since 1929, The Potter Family has been a staple in Traverse City. Almost 100 years ago, Norman and Julia Potter opened the first location downtown. Due to the sugar rations, they had to close the bakery shortly after opening. They later reopened and ran the shop with a handful of employees. Years later, Norman partnered with his son, Jerry, welcoming in the 2nd generation of Potter's Bakery. Jerry owned and ran the business for many years until welcoming in his son Mike, the 3rd generation of Potters.

 

Today, the third and fourth generations are the faces you will see when you visit the 94-year-old business.

 

Mike Potter and his wife, Kathy, lead the third generation. Mike, a third-generation baker, inherited his expertise not only from his father and grandfather but also through formal training at an old-school baking school in Minneapolis. Kathy embarked on her journey at the store, initially serving customers as a sales clerk before diving into the production side of the business. In this role, she honed her self-taught skills in the art of cake-making, ultimately contributing significantly to the transformation of the bakery into what it has become today. Together, Mike and Kathy have cultivated Potter's Bakery into a cherished home of their craft, where every creation is a testament to their unwavering labor of love.

 

The fourth generation of Potter's Bakery consists of Mike and Kathy's three daughters, all of whom work there. One of their daughters, Becky, and her husband, Bill, have decided to carry Potter's Bakery into its 4th generation of owners. Becky has worked at the bakery since she was very young. Bill met Becky at the bakery when working for a local pizza shop! He used to come into the bakery to pick up their sub buns, and Becky would wait on him at the counter. One thing led to another, and here they are, running a bakery with three children and a pup at home.

 

All of the baked goods at Potter's Bakery are made on-site. Whether your taste leans towards an abundance of chocolate, a selection with a fruitier twist, or something that falls in the delightful middle ground, there's an option sure to satisfy your palate. The family constantly releases specialty donuts and other baked goods, so there is no telling what delectable delight you will find when you stop in for a treat. You will find everything from decorated homestyle cookies, Danishes, donuts, cakes, tortes, pies, and specialty breads.

 

The Potter family has a rich history of bakers whose time-honored recipes and unwavering commitment to quality have left an indelible mark on the world of baked goods. Visit Potter's Bakery or call ahead (231-947-5125) for a specialty order. We use the finest and freshest ingredients and local products whenever possible. Our commitment to quality shows in the taste of our fine baked goods. We can't wait to share our labor of love with you!