BIZNOTE: The Original Bakery in Fauntleroy confirms it’s closing

West Seattle’s longest-running bakery is about to end its storied run. A few readers told us in recent days that they’d heard The Original Bakery in Fauntleroy was planning to close – we’ve been working to confirm it, and today bakery proprietor Bernie Alonzo‘s daughter Anna Alonzo confirmed it to us shortly before she made this public announcement:

It is with heavy hearts that we are announcing that The Original Bakery will close its doors at the end of February. Our last day will be Sunday 2/26/2023.

After nearly fifty years of doing business, Bernie is retiring. He says it’s been a good run. We have seen so many kids, employees and customers, growing up before our eyes. We have experienced so much joy seeing those grown-up kids bring their children to enjoy their favorite bakery treats. We truly have appreciated the love and support from our community over the years. The Original Bakery’s history dates to the 1930s. Our family has had the pleasure of being the fourth generation of families to run this business. We had hoped to sell the business and pass the baton. I may open a bakery café sometime down the road when my daughter is grown up.

The bakery’s space is slated to be rented and developed by Peter Levy of Chow Foods/Endolyne Joe’s.

Come say farewell. We will miss the bakery and the people more than we can say in just words. For me, Bernie’s daughter, it’s been like a second home growing up. I look forward to relaxing and vacationing with my Dad more in the near future!

You can’t rush down to 9253 45th SW today – the bakery’s open Wednesdays-Sundays, 7:30 am-3 pm. As noted here, the bakery was founded in 1936; the Alonzo family has owned and operated it since 1975.

83 Replies to "BIZNOTE: The Original Bakery in Fauntleroy confirms it's closing"

  • kp January 31, 2023 (12:46 pm)

    this one hurts :(

    • Jane Conrad January 31, 2023 (4:54 pm)

      I am devastated! Loved this place for decades.  The best cake donuts and apple fritters around. Also the nicest employees! So, so sad.

      • 56bricks February 1, 2023 (10:32 am)

        Fritters!

  • Lara January 31, 2023 (12:49 pm)

    Oh, what sad news! Applesauce donut Fridays have been a special tradition for many years for our family. We’ll be so sorry to see you go!

  • Interested Neighbor January 31, 2023 (12:50 pm)

    Bernie is a neighborhood institution and he and the bakery will be missed. Thank you for all the years of getting up early so we have delicious treats. And please enjoy some well-deserved rest! So glad my kids got to grow up in a neighborhood that had a bakery within walking distance.

  • Anw January 31, 2023 (1:11 pm)

    Congratulations Bernie! And many thanks to you and your family for not only serving delicious food and coffee but for being willing to hire and train young people to work there. My daughter learned a lot in your welcoming environment!

  • Matt January 31, 2023 (1:15 pm)

    Wow, it’ll be hard knowing it’s not there. I grew up around that place, with my grandpa living not to far away. Wow that sucks!

  • Gina January 31, 2023 (1:16 pm)

    Who remembers the sugar cookies when the bakery was located around the corner?

  • Doug January 31, 2023 (1:33 pm)

    Congrats on a great run. You will be missed. 

  • AK January 31, 2023 (1:45 pm)

    Ouch. I’ll have to make a stop (or two) for donuts before they close the doors!

  • sam-c January 31, 2023 (1:50 pm)

    This is so crushingly sad.  I saw people sharing about the closure on FB, but was holding out hope since I hadn’t seen it officially noted on the WSB yet.  We will miss them and their tasty baked goods, especially the doughnuts.  Our whole family has really enjoyed going there over the years and everyone there has been so friendly whenever we go.  My tween was dreaming of the day they’d be old enough to work there… 

  • North admiral January 31, 2023 (1:52 pm)

    Ooooooof. Best maple bar I’ve ever had. This is a rough one. Thanks for all the delicious eats !

  • M January 31, 2023 (1:57 pm)

    They will be sorely missed!  My family always thought I was nuts to get excited about a bran muffin, but Original’s Bakery is the best.  Almost like it’s soaked in honey and crispified.  Mmmm. 

    • helpermonkey January 31, 2023 (2:49 pm)

      M, I agree on the bran muffin! Seriously indulgent. 

    • ACG January 31, 2023 (10:24 pm)

      I always (jokingly) told myself that it since it was a bran muffin it was “healthy” and I could eat that and take a doughnut home for dessert later!  LOL!  So good. I don’t know what magic he put in those, but I’d buy a cookbook with the recipe!!!   I’d also (when pretending to be healthy) get the spanakopita- that was pre COVID, though. So good when I wanted something savory instead of sweet. But shoot, I don’t think there’s been an item there that I haven’t loved. 

  • mem January 31, 2023 (2:01 pm)

    Oh please, say it isn’t so. Going on a donut-run for my neighbors kept us all going during the pandemic. No one can make a better Apple fritter or Bismarck. My waist will get a little thinner but I prefer the happiness that a donut brings to my day. 

  • Millie January 31, 2023 (2:23 pm)

    Congratulations Bernie on your retirement.  May you have many years in retirement.I will definitely miss the maple bars, the walnut squares, well, let’s be honest everything.  

  • sw January 31, 2023 (2:26 pm)

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…

  • Fauntleroy Fairy January 31, 2023 (2:36 pm)

     Bernie put his heart and soul into making sure every donut, cake and loaf of bread was the best, but I am happy for him and really sad for all of us who have grown up going there. I think this makes it clear tho that the WS we have all known and loved is officially gone now. Thanks for the memories….

  • beanie January 31, 2023 (2:37 pm)

    Shoot, I guess I’ll have to try some of West Seattle’s other donut joints, but sure will miss theirs!

    • Kt February 1, 2023 (6:08 am)

      There is a good one in White Center!

  • wscommuter January 31, 2023 (3:03 pm)

    What a blow.  Happy for Bernie getting to enjoy retirement … but very sad to lose one of the great old school W. Seattle institutions.  Thursdays for buttermilk donuts … damn.  

  • Homer January 31, 2023 (3:13 pm)

    Hey Peter Levy…  can you put in a donut shop that uses the same recipes?  Hmmmmm?

    • Fauntleroy Fairy January 31, 2023 (4:40 pm)

      I have zero hope that he will. Unfortunately.

  • JP January 31, 2023 (3:25 pm)

    The cake donut of my dreams. The true barometer of a legendary donut shop.   Original will be missed.

  • will-o-wisp January 31, 2023 (3:35 pm)

    I loved all the wood and the old-style display cases.  A step back in time for me.  Store had a very human, friendly feeling.

  • Justin January 31, 2023 (3:49 pm)

    I really, really hope that Endolyne Joe’s plans to just keep this as a bakery. It’s a shame to lose this neighborhood institution that’s been operating since 1936!I don’t get why the lease couldn’t have been passed to someone who wanted to keep the bakery running. Like everyone else, I’ll sincerely miss this gem. Sad times. 

    • JtothePS January 31, 2023 (5:55 pm)

      Don’t sell Joe’s short. They ain’t Dumb

    • alki_2008 February 4, 2023 (10:16 pm)

      Did anyone step up to say they wanted to run a bakery?

  • andreea January 31, 2023 (3:55 pm)

    Peter, meet Adam! Adam, Peter! (insert crossed fingers)

    https://www.adamswestseattle.com/shop/p/sourdough-bagels

    • Mari January 31, 2023 (4:33 pm)

      Oh, I second this but also, please get Bernie’s recipes too!

    • Bagel bagel January 31, 2023 (6:56 pm)

      Yes please to Adam’s bagels with a storefront! Absolutely amazing bagels if you haven’t tried them yet. Would make a great addition to Endolyne, but I’d greatly prefer Adam find a storefront in the Triangle area (selfishly). 

  • Your_Doughnut_Lover January 31, 2023 (4:19 pm)

    Noooooo! Doughn’t Go!!! We will miss you!!!

  • anonyme January 31, 2023 (4:28 pm)

    Another beloved neighborhood institution bites the dust.  Sad.  Also, it was the only place I’ve been able to find crullers!

    • WSGuy January 31, 2023 (5:28 pm)

      Good Day Donuts has crullers on Saturdays.

      • anonyme February 1, 2023 (5:26 am)

        Thank you!

  • SJ January 31, 2023 (5:02 pm)

    I sure hope Bismarcks freeze. Thank you for 3 decades of the BEST fluffy filling I have ever tasted.

  • 2cents January 31, 2023 (5:06 pm)

    Daaaang, these donuts were (chef’s kiss)

  • Findlay January 31, 2023 (5:14 pm)

    Will miss this place. Good luck to the owners. Appreciate their contribution to the West Seattle community!

  • D Martin January 31, 2023 (5:38 pm)

    I’m devastated. When I lived by Lincoln Park, I’d go there all the time. My heart is broken.

  • Looking Forward January 31, 2023 (6:11 pm)

    Bernie and Anna, thank you for all you have done, given and shared. Enjoy your lazy days. I look forward to what Peter and Endolyne Joe’s comes up with for the neighborhood (and do wish they could keep some of the exact same baked good recipes for us too)!

  • Steve January 31, 2023 (6:43 pm)

    Damn. I’d always bring back some for the neighbors; to ease my guilt. In the words of Napoleon Dynamite,  ” Now what am I supposed to eat?!”

  • Angelica January 31, 2023 (7:00 pm)

    My family has been going here for years and we grew up going to get donuts on Sunday mornings! As kids we would have a special penny bank that we would fill w change so we could buy one extra donut to save for later. Bernie still remembers our names and our order! We all knew this day would come and are super fortunate to have had as many years (and donuts) going here.We hope Bernie enjoys his well deserved retirement and know that we will never forget “Bernie’s Bakery”

  • Thd3 January 31, 2023 (7:22 pm)

    Buttermilk donuts – I’ve never tasted a better one. Worth breaking any diet! Remember Dunya who used to work there? What a dear woman and of course amazing Bernie and his smile and baking prowness  – what a gift that we got to know and experience your talents. You will be missed. Thank you for the best donuts we have ever had! 

  • Barton January 31, 2023 (8:03 pm)

    They will be so missed!

  • Applesauce_Friday_Lover January 31, 2023 (8:04 pm)

    Can we have a retirement party please!??? We need to morn this loss among friends!! ACK!!!!!! My mom & I were JUST talking about what would happen if Bernie retired a few days ago. We both shuttered to imagine the day. It turns out it is not *just* about the most amazing donuts, pop ups, rolls, the list goes on… It is about the decades of memories. Thanksgivings with those buttery rolls, Christmas mornings with the pop ups, stopping by the bakery before vacations out of WS to pick up a dozen and the family near & far that enjoyed them. I remember driving down to Portland to visit my grandparents, the brown box of donuts on the top of the luggage and the entire car smelling of sweet goodness. Thanks for your dedication Bernie, your love and showing us that perfecting your skill in whatever way can impact the lives of hundreds. Thank you the most for being a part of our family for almost 45 years!PS I am happy my niece & nephew got to experience the bakery especially on applesauce Fridays – my moms favorite! 

    • Angelica January 31, 2023 (9:26 pm)

      We should see if Fauntleroy Hall or Endolyn Joes would host one if Bernie was up for it! 

      • Applesauce_Friday_Lover February 1, 2023 (9:21 pm)

        Yes! How do we make it happen if Bernie is up for it of course! WSB any suggestions?? 

        • WSB February 1, 2023 (9:49 pm)

          We don’t know the family personally – have just been customers over the years like thousands of others – so I don’t know whether they’d be interested, or whether they would prefer to just quietly sail into the sunset. You might consider asking the Fauntleroy Community Association – which is always looking for new involvement! – if it would consider a tribute; their next board meeting is on February 14th – TR

          • Applesauce_Friday_Lover February 2, 2023 (11:07 am)

            Thanks so much! Yes, I agree – I want to respect the family wishes as well if they are not wanting a huge celebration. Thanks for the response! 

  • Emese Crumb January 31, 2023 (8:30 pm)

    My husband’s grandparents owned and sold the the bakery to Bernie (Florian Dunbar) and some of the delicious goodies are still his original recipe (like the Bismarcks). Very sad to hear but it’s a hard business!  Congratulations Bernie on your retirement. 

    • Angelica January 31, 2023 (9:25 pm)

      The Bismarcks are our favorite! We’ve have always hoped to see them create a Donut book for all the recipes! 

  • Steve M-G January 31, 2023 (8:51 pm)

    Oh man. The end of the best donuts in WestSeattle. So good I have out of state friends that want to go when they are here. Original Bakery will be missed.

  • TTT January 31, 2023 (8:53 pm)

    Ugh! Our favorite donuts!! The best maple bars! Congrats Bernie! You and your donuts will be missed!!

  • J January 31, 2023 (9:09 pm)

    Sad to see them go. Would prefer another business fill the spot rather than Endolyne Joe’s & co. absorbing it. It’s just that there is very little retail space in that area so the more variety the better. 

  • John A. January 31, 2023 (9:25 pm)

    Bismarcks my favorite!  What will I do?   The Persians, the cream cheese danish, the plains, the french crullers, Cranberry brans.  It’s all so unimaginable.    You say you wanted to sell the business, why is there no one willing to take the reins?   I might, just to save the business!

  • ACG January 31, 2023 (10:14 pm)

    Bernie, may you enjoy retirement. You have worked so hard and have touched so many lives. So many wonderful memories I have of the bakery- watching my kids grow up there. We are so blessed to have had the bakery as a gathering place, the wonderful doughnuts, the fresh bread and brioche, the thanksgiving rolls and pies. And, getting to know the amazing wonderful people who have worked there over the years. Some of them have become like family to us. Thank you for everything. You all and the bakery will truly be missed. 

  • Gene L January 31, 2023 (10:31 pm)

    BEST WISHES.  I wished they had focused more on good bread or more cafe-ish (personally not a fan of doughnuts) – the neighborhood could use that.  Maybe Endolyn-J will do something new.

    • momosmom February 1, 2023 (7:02 am)

      You couldn’t had left it at “BEST WISHES”? Doughnuts may not be your thing but for almost 50 years for Bernie a lot of other people “doughnuts” were their thing.

    • Kersti Elisabeth Muul February 1, 2023 (9:38 pm)

      You are in the teeny weeny minority. 

  • JP January 31, 2023 (10:43 pm)

    Thursday mornings will never be the same without the sweet manna from OB they call Buttermilk donuts. I doubt I will ever find another donut that can compare.One of the best maple bars I’ve ever had too, with that hint of coffee.

  • John February 1, 2023 (4:29 am)

    They will be missed. I went there alot when I lived in the area back in the late 70s. What a great place, great treats, and good people. Thank you.

  • Susan February 1, 2023 (7:36 am)

    Forget trying to be healthy with bran…the best apple fritters!  It was a weekly treat for my late husband and another sweet memory.

  • Maple Bars For Life February 1, 2023 (8:01 am)

    I’m in mourning. Not only is the maple bar the best donut, the Original maple bar is the best of all. Alas…

  • BobD February 1, 2023 (8:44 am)

    Several years back when we found a wonderful house to buy in the neighborhood, we had a very hard decision to make, but the deal was sealed after having maple bars at the bakery. True story! Thank you for all your hard work and amazing doughnuts. When I told my grandkids this morning about you closing they said, “ It is the end of the world!”

    • waikikigirl February 1, 2023 (9:02 am)

      BobD, Love what your G. kids said! LOL!!! My husband grew up in that neighborhood and his Mom still lives there, we love his bismarks, maples, oh dang it everything there! Very sad to see him retire but also very happy for him! CONGRATS Bernie from the red headed freckle face kid from around the corner!!!!  

    • Applesauce_Friday_Lover February 1, 2023 (9:14 pm)

      YES!! It is the end of the world!!!!!

  • Jon February 1, 2023 (8:56 am)

    Sad day :( This is a twice weekly tradition for our family and has been for years. I guess we all kind of knew it would happen one day – lets hope Chow Foods keeps it as a bakery – it always struck me as something that could be community owned. I think a lot of West Seattle residents would be happy to buy into a co-op for this place.Thanks Bernie!

    • Applesauce_Friday_Lover February 1, 2023 (9:18 pm)

      Yes!! A bakery co-op!! Can we make T-Shirts to say “Save the Bakery!!” without ignoring the fact that indeed Bernie *does* deserve to retire! 

  • Ned February 1, 2023 (9:04 am)

    I grew up across the street in what’s now the Wildwood bed and breakfast.  I remember the bakery in the 50’s, when my mother gave them the recipe for molasses based ‘brown bread”, which became popular and known as Hamlin bread.  Haven’t lived in Fauntleroy since 1967.

  • 56bricks February 1, 2023 (10:52 am)

    Is that you Mr. Neltner? Grew up in Fauntleroy myself, used cut your hair when you had it, Les never got one and I used to bartend at Embers. Aahhh, the days!

  • End of the Line February 1, 2023 (11:05 am)

    WSB, any leads on what Chow Foods is going to do with the space?

    • WSB February 1, 2023 (11:17 am)

      Working on a followup. No permits filed for anything as of late last night.

  • Nola Nevers February 1, 2023 (11:39 am)

    Sorry to hear! You will surely be missed by all of us who love your maple bars (especially) and your warm welcomes over all the years. Best in your retirement!

  • EmRo February 1, 2023 (8:01 pm)

    After the birth of our first child, The Original Bakery was our first outing as a family of three. I will never forget that cold December morning and the kindness of the staff. Wishing you the best, Bernie. Thanks for  memories and the donuts. 

  • Shadowtripper February 1, 2023 (10:43 pm)

    Been a decades long customer and hearing it is closing was like losing a good friend.  Life sometimes clouds our eyes not allowing us to see what is here today will be gone tomorrow.  It was a good run and as was stated lots of great memories.  It will be difficult to pass through that intersection without thinking fondly of the business that was once there.   I wish all those that worked and served us with the genuine neighborhood spirit the best in the days ahead.

  • Jeff Butler February 2, 2023 (7:55 am)

    A BIG, BIG SHOUTOUT TO BERNIE AND HIS BOUNTIFUL BAKERY FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. When visiting our daughter some 20 years ago from Connecticut, I discovered his corner bakery. I would wake early and walk a couple blocks for coffee and a pastry before my wife got up. After having my coffee there (and noticing how it was a community gathering spot as well), I would select a box of pastries and coffees to take back to our daughters home. In my selections were Bernie’s special sugar raised donuts… something that my wife and I and the rest of our family have looked for whenever we go to a new bakery… but rarely find them… I mean the kind made with potato flour. On returning to the bakery I asked to meet the baker and compliment him on his wonderful donuts… and confirm he made them with potato flour.  I shared with Bernie our family’s hunt for this type of donut wherever we go… having grown up in Wisconsin where there was even a chain of donut shops called “Spudnuts”.  This began my regular trips to his bakery. We would go to West Seattle two to three times a year.  I began to notice that my purchase of a dozen “sugar raised” would usually exhaust his morning inventory. I didn’t think about it much at first… but then realized that Bernie really knew his customer base. He would bake to meet his customers’ needs… and in the case of “sugar raised or glazed” there were not always many. It dawned on me that my regular trips to Bernie’s were irregular to him… so he could not anticipate my order for “sugar raised” … and that meant some of his regular customers would be disappointed. That’s when I recognized that I should call ahead when I needed a dozen or more.  How sad we all are to learn of the end of an era for wonderful community bakery. Best wishes to Bernie in his well deserved retirement after having given his community such a wonderful place to gather… and providing such a broad variety of expertly made pastries with his love and care. We will miss you! I hope that we will be able to find in our travels a “sugar raised” that measures up to yours.

  • Fauntleroy Fairies February 3, 2023 (9:51 am)

    Feels good to read this outpouring of love — thank you Bernie and family for years of kindness and deliciousness! We are glad you are taking a well-deserved rest (while fantasizing about the occasional WS Original Bakery pop-up)!! We will miss your amazing raised sugar doughnuts — and hope for an opportunity to celebrate a future re-opening or occasional pop-up — whatever you have energy for! (WS Commercial kitchens not open for breakfast might be available to support this venture!  :-)  WSB could get the word out. We could all get our orders in the week before.  And, just wondering, any chance you might make an exception and be open for one last Valentine’s Day on Tuesday? Oh, we would love that!) 

  • UncleTorvald February 4, 2023 (8:05 pm)

    Is nothing sacred!  Sad news indeed.  We seem to be losing so much of what has made West Seattle special.  The maple bars, the Apple donuts on Friday!  *sigh* What will I do now?Thanks for all the years of delicious baked goods!  

  • Eddie Westerman February 6, 2023 (10:46 am)

    Painful to see our beloved bakery go. We will miss Bernie and staff (and the best challah by Anna) so much. Hoping Anna opens a place after her little one is launched in school. Congratulations to Bernie — retirement rocks.

  • Sharon Gill February 11, 2023 (10:40 am)

    Noooooooo!! Warm maple bars, so delicious beyond words. Pear tarts. Fritters. Clearly all made with love, no other explanation for how these treats are better than anyone else’s. You will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.

  • MG February 20, 2023 (10:27 am)

    Happy Retirement to Bernie but in all honesty i’m CRUSHED! Crueller, Applesauce, and Crumb donuts – the best I’ve had in my life! I’ve only lived in WS for a year but was very committed to weekly visits :-(.

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