Apparent closure marks the end of a bakery legacy spanning back to at least World War II that includes the Wayzata Bakery, Olson’s Bakery, & Wuollet’s; owners states new locations being evaluated.
Wuolett’s Bakery in Wayzata has apparently closed, Wayzata.com has learned.
The company, which was sold by the Wuolett family in 2019, continues to operate other locations in the metro, which can be found on their website: Wuollet.com
A Legacy of Family Owned Bakeries in Wayzata
Wuollet’s location in Wayzata was part of the longstanding legacy of family bakeries in Wayzata, originating with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stein.
According to the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, the Steins operated the Wayzata Bakery in a free standing residential home located at 726 Lake Street.
In 1944, the Steins sold the Wayzata Bakery property and business to Edwin Olson, while concurrently buying Olson’s home in Cottagewood in a property swap.
Son Victor Olson was 18 years old at the time, and was quoted in a 1990 Sun Sailor article describing the move that happened on Christmas day, “We unplugged our Christmas tree over there, put it in the truck, and plugged in over here.”
Info / news article / photo of Edwin Olson provided by the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society.
Edwin had plenty of experience in the bakery world, having previously worked for Graham-Chapman, a large bakery in Minneapolis.
His mother Martha Olson had also worked at Excelo Bakery in Excelsior.
Olson named the bakery the Minnetonka Pastry Shop initially, prior to switching to Olson’s Bakery.
In 1952, Hennepin County widened Lake Street to four lanes, which resulted in Olson’s Bakery losing its front porch where it conducted retail sales.
However, this project also gave them the funds to construct a commercial bakery next door.
Edwin’s son Victor got his first taste of the bakery business frying doughnuts, eventually graduating to owner.
Over the 45 years, the Wayzata community embraced Olson’s Bakery and the fantastic creations and service that originated from within.
Steven Lafean commented recently on his memory of Olson’s, “I always got a kick out of seeing Mrs. Pillsbury showing up in her limo and buying her bakery goods there while her chauffeur would stand on the sidewalk have a cigarette waiting for her to come out.”
Other favorite memories included a 2,000 lb Wayzata Depot cake, and another cake that was over 18 feet long, 15 feet wide, and weighing 6,706 pounds, according to news clippings from the past.
The front window of the bakery reportedly had to be removed to get the cakes out of the building and down the street.
Sandie Larson reminisced, “We got our wedding cake at Olson’s in 1964.”
Olson’s closed it’s doors after 45 years on Lake Street in Wayzata in 1990 after a retail expansion project into Long Lake and Chanhassen failed to yield the desired results.
Wuollet takes over Olson’s Bakery location in 1991
Ben and Jim Wuollet were recruited to Wayzata to open in the former Olson’s Bakery building in 1991 by Charlie Schoen.
Schoen bought the building and parking lot located at 726 Lake Street out of bankruptcy court after Olson’s had closed.
“Everyone told me you have to get the Wuollet brothers to operate a bakery in Wayzata,” stated Schoen in an interview.
Schoen also described a July 1991 meeting with City of Wayzata officials, including City Manager Al Orsen, Tom Young, planner David Licht, the Wuollet brothers, and Pam Sherman from the New French Cafe.
“The City told us there wasn’t enough parking to re-open a bakery in the same location,” stated Schoen.
Licht proposed a solution to Schoen, namely if he granted an easement across the parking lot to the City for delivery access to the alley along the railroad tracks, the City would waive the parking space requirements.
After the Wuollet brothers and Schoen had discussions and communication with elected officials such as Greg Rye, the City of Wayzata acquiesced, confirming that there was sufficient parking to operate the bakery.
Wuollet readies to open in 1991
A Lakeshore Weekly News article provided by the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society characterized the new business, “A nearly 50-years-old family tree will grow a new branch next month with opening of Wuollet Bakery Wayzata. Construction has already begun at the site of the former Olson’s Bakery, 726 E. Lake St. in downtown Wayzata.”
Anna Mantoles described her employment with the Wuollet Family when she began working there at the age of 15 in 1991, “The original bakery in the old Olson’s Bakery location was magnificent! There was nothing better than a holiday window display done by Jim Wuollet. Dangling gingerbread men surrounding a gingerbread Depot. Old English Plum Puddings dipped in wax displayed with pride around the bakery during the holidays. The amount of full sheet cakes we would maneuver around the cake display case was always a stresser on a busy Saturday!”
Mantoles continued, touching on cookie coupons, a German sourdough called Dunkel Brot, free coffee before coffee was sold for profit, Scandinavian treats such as the Princess Torte and cardamom bread, the Wuollet Gingerbread man, cookies sales, graduation cakes, and the like.
She also recalled visits from Mrs. Pillsbury in her curlers, Mrs. Heffelfinger on her bike, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis visiting, and locating Irwin Jacobs’ Rolex watch and receiving a $100 reward for it’s return.
As Wuollet’s expanded, they began to bake the goods in a central bakery location and needed less space, so in approximately 2006 they vacated the former Olson’s location and moved to the 795 Lake Street location within the Vodegal building, near the present day Muni, according to Schoen.
The business operated successfully for many years in the location.
Wuollet family sells bakery in 2019
After 75 years of operations, the Wuollet family sold their bakery business with it’s multiple locations to Eric Shogren, a businessman from Russia who hoped to skew the clientele a bit younger without losing the longtime patrons, according to a Star Tribune article.
Other reports indicate Shogren has acquired a number of other bakery assets including Grandma’s Bakerty and it’s 22,025 square foot building in White Bear Lake for $3.5 million in 2023.
Other reported holdings include Wuollet Bakery, Hans Bakery in Anoka, and A Baker’s Wife in Minneapolis.
Eviction Proceedings
This week, a sign posted by the Sheriff appeared on the window at Wuollet’s in Wayzata. It stated that former tenants and occupants may not enter the premises as of April 29th, 2024.
Another piece of paper on Wuollet letterhead taped to the window indicates that, “We will be temporarily closed for the foreseeable future. Please contact one of our other locations…”
No fixtures appeared to be left within the commercial space, as pictured.
A check of the eviction case in Hennepin County civil court (27-CV-24-3699) shows that a settlement agreement to terminate and settle the lease had not been followed.
An email from Eric Shogren stated, “We regret the current situation but certainly are not planning to leave the Wayzata community.” Shogren also stated he is seeking another location in Wayzata, and a spokesman confirmed that to KSTP. The Wuollet website says the Wayzata location is temporarily closed.
The apparent closure seems to place a bookend on the family bakery businesses that have been part of the Wayzata community for many years.
Update 5/15/2024: The Hastings Star Gazette is reporting that the Hastings Location has closed:
Stay tuned to Wayzata.com, and feel free to share your memories about Wayzata bakeries via dan@wayzata.com.
The Lake Minnetonka Historical Society contributed to this report.
This report has been updated to reflect an attribution to Charlie Schoen regarding Wuolett moving to 795 Lake Street location near the Muni, a statement from Eric Shogren indicating he is seeking a new location, and the case number in Hennepin County court. This report was also updated to reflect the report from the Hastings Star Gazette.
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