our story
swissbakers reading, 2009
our story
In 1998, Helene (36) and Thomas (37) moved from Switzerland to America with their two young sons, Tobias (6) and Nicolas (4), in pursuit of the American dream. While adjusting to their new life, the boys deeply missed the tastes and comforts of Switzerland, especially the fresh baked bread they enjoyed daily from their local bakery, a staple in most Swiss towns.
To fill this void, Helene began baking out of her kitchen. Her creations quickly became popular among families in town and at the German school the boys attended every Saturday.
Eight years later, in 2006, the couple decided to combine their talents and open a small business together-a bakery called swissbakers that would bring the taste of authentic Swiss food to their new home. From 2006 to 2008, Helene and Thomas baked out of their home, supplying select wholesale accounts, catering clients, and summer farmers markets with fresh, homemade Swiss food.
In 2009, their dream grew bigger. They opened their first location in the historic Reading Train Depot, moving their bakery from their home to a more suitable space in the basement of the new storefront. By 2013, swissbakers expanded with a second location in Allston, MA, complete with a larger production facility.
The journey has not always been smooth. The years brought their fair share of ups and downs, including new storefront openings, closures, a restructuring, and even a global pandemic. Despite these challenges, swissbakers remains committed to their roots-producing everything from scratch, baking fresh daily, and creating a welcoming place for the local community.
Thanks to their incredible team and the invaluable help from their sons, Tobias and Nicolas, Helene and Thomas continue to bring fresh baked goods to the greater Boston area, ensuring that the spirit of swissbakers remains alive and thriving.
how we started
When our two young sons missed the fresh baked bread of Switzerland, Helene began baking from home to recreate those flavors. Her baked goods quickly gained popularity, especially among families at the local German school. Starting in the kitchen and later moving to the garage, Helene’s baking efforts eventually led to the opening of our first swissbakers storefront, turning a passion into an exciting new business.
our mission
At swissbakers, our mission is to bring a piece of Switzerland to America through handcrafted, fresh-baked goods made from scratch with quality ingredients. We are dedicated to delighting our community with high-quality products that evoke the comforting tastes of our heritage, while fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone.