Roeser's Bakery

Roeser’s Bakery is currently owned by the fourth generation, John Roeser IV. We have been a staple in the community and all of Chicagoland since 1911, making us the oldest family owned retail bakery in Chicago. We are a full line retail bakery offering pastries, coffee cakes, cookies, cakes, homemade ice cream, breads and anything else you can think of. We have been featured on various media outlets such as Chicago’s Best, WCIU the U You and Me, Windy City Live, Fox News, and all major newspapers. Come see for yourself why we’ve been around for so long.

In 1911, John Roeser Sr. opened his doors at 3216 W. North Ave. to a welcoming German and Scandinavian clientele. At his side and behind the counter for more than 60 years was his wife Hattie, offering customers stollen, strudel and rye bread. Together they created an atmosphere of warmth, satisfaction and friendly service. John Sr. kept the bakery going through the first World War and through the Great Depression. In 1937 John Jr. started full time in the family bakery. His love of the bakery helped it to flourish for the next 40 years. As the neighborhood changed, so did the bakery. They expanded the product line with superior cakes, sweet rolls, fried cakes, pies, coffee cakes, breads and donuts. In 1976,with expert instruction, John Roeser III took the helm, emulating the tradition of excellence founded by his grandfather. Today, with over 35 employees, Roeser’s reputation continues to spread as more people discover Chicago’s oldest family owned bakery.

John R.
Business Owner
John C. Roeser III, grandson of the bakery’s founder, is the current owner of Roeser’s Bakery. John III took over from John Jr. when he retired in 1985.
John III has always been a part of the Humboldt Park community, serving as the VP of the NPACC for 18 years, winner of the 1st annual Herta Hill award from the Block Club Federation, working with YSP and other community groups to bring a library to Humboldt Park, working on the Park District committee that built the 1st totally handicapped play lot in a Chicago park, and currently the president of the John C. Roeser Youth Development Foundation.
In the bakery industry John III is the current VP of the Chicago Area Retail Bakers Assoc. He has headed the CARBA cake decorating contest since it’s inception.He has also competed on a Food Network challenge as decorator Orlando Serrano’s assistant. John III is recognized by the Retail Bakers of America as a Certified Master Baker.