FOR FOUR GENERATIONS
Our fourth-generation, family-owned business was born out of love – love for family and love of baking. Irene Grebe was an intelligent, talented woman who took matters into her own hands when her family needed her, and over 85 years later, we’re still enjoying the fruits donuts of her labor!
Irene Ingram and Valter Grebe, both successful young musicians, were married and started their family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A member of the well-known band, “Heinie and His Grenadiers”, Valter enjoyed local success on Milwaukee-based WTMJ radio’s variety show, “The Grenadiers”, until a stroke prevented him from continuing his career. With her husband and two small children, Walter and Jane, to care for, Irene began baking and selling her beloved butterhorns and other homemade treats to the local PTA in order to provide for her family. Her sweet treats were such a success that she soon opened her first storefront, Grebe’s Cottage Bakery, in her home.
The business enjoyed overwhelming popularity and the family quickly opened several retail outlets throughout the area (at one time, there were as many as 16 Grebe’s stores!) Irene and Valter’s son, Walter James “Jim Sr.” Grebe, also had a love for baking, and after returning home from the service (where he was also a baker!), he proudly assumed the position of General Manager of all production, and eventually became President of the company. A man of great vision, he began selling Grebe’s products at wholesale to local supermarkets, and by the 1980s, he’d broadened the wholesale line to include convenience stores like White Hen Pantry, and even gas stations such as SuperAmerica. After the closing of several local bakeries, such as Meurer’s and Kohl’s, Jim Sr. took over servicing many additional customers, and soon expanded further through a partnership with Ashland Oil, founded and operated Country Maid salad company and SuperMom’s in the Twin Cities, operated a distributorship for the Borden Dairy Co., and started a private catering company which serviced school, hospital, and manufacturing cafeterias, as well as banquet halls.
Our founder, Irene, passed in 1991 at the age of 89. Jim Sr. continued to run the business with the help of his son, James Walter “Jim Jr.” Grebe, and when Jim Sr. passed in 2002, Jim Jr. was named President.
In 2004, Crestwood Bakery closed its doors. Jim Jr. purchased the rights for Grebe’s Bakery to produce Crestwood Bakery’s recipes under the Crestwood label, and Grebe’s began servicing Sentry Foods stores. Jim Jr.’s sons soon joined the team as teens, but a struggling economy, changing market, and failing health, including a liver transplant, made it difficult to grow the business. Jim did his best to maintain the company until he passed in 2016 at the age of 57.
Though they were young and facing the new challenge of running a business after the passing of their father, Brandon and Colton Grebe chose to continue their family legacy. Brandon was named
President and Colton Vice President, and they were well on their way to developing their own rhythm until 2020, when the world all but paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Production was cut in half overnight, and this unprecedented time called for unprecedented measures and presented many challenges – including supply chain and labor uncertainties, soaring transportation prices, and changes to the way food products could be served in the retail space. Through patience, perseverance, and a little bit of luck, Brandon and Colton banded together with their team, and Grebe’s Bakery (and those famous crullers!) are still here.
The brothers have since taken the best concepts from the previous generations and added a modern twist, allowing Grebe’s beloved crullers and donuts to be distributed throughout the entire state of
Wisconsin!
In addition to running the best bakery in the business, Brandon and Colton are Co-Directors of Wisconsin State Fair’s famous Original Cream Puffs operation, and you can find Grebe’s Bakery inside the Original Cream Puffs Pavilion at Grebe’s Espresso Bar during the Wisconsin State Fair.
Grebe’s Bakery’s mission to continue providing fresh, quality products along with friendly & efficient customer service is one for which Grebe’s is proud to have been known for over 85 years.
Find Grebe’s famous donuts and baked goods at your local Speedway, Sendik’s, Sentry, Woodman’s, Piggly Wiggly, Pick ‘n Save, Metro Markets, Fresh Thyme, or Festival Foods, in addition to many other locations throughout the great State of Wisconsin!
Thank you for your support!
Years OF TRADITION
DISTRIBUTOR LOCATIONS
DONUTS Served
HAPPY BAKERS
Our mission is tradition. Providing quality donuts and baked goods along with friendly & efficient customer service is our mission – one which we’re proud to have been known for over 85 years.
Find Grebe’s famous donuts and baked goods at your local Speedway, Sendik’s, Sentry, Woodman’s, Piggly Wiggly, Pick ‘n Save, Metro Markets, Fresh Thyme, or Festival Foods, in addition to many other locations throughout the great State of Wisconsin!
Now offering nationwide distribution! Interested in selling our products in your neck of the woods? Contact us at sales@grebesbakery.com
5132 W Lincoln Avenue
West Allis, WI 53219
414-543-7000
Tues – Sun: 5am – 3pm
Mon: Closed
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5132 W Lincoln Avenue
West Allis, WI 53219
414-543-7000
Retail Hours
Tues – Sun: 5am – 3pm
Mon: Closed
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