GREBE'S HISTORY IN MILWAUKEE

BAKED FRESH EVERYDAY SINCE 1937.

1937

Grebe's Bakery was born in Irene Grebe's home kitchen as a way to make ends meet when her husband, Walter, a musician, became partially paralyzed and could no longer perform with his band on their popular WTMJ radio show.  Great Grandma Irene started baking and selling her delicious butterhorns to the local PTA, and thanks to overwhelming popularity, the family was able to open several retail bakery & deli outlets (at one time, as many as 16 total stores!)

1950's-1980's

Grebe's history in Milwaukee continued when Grandpa Walter James “Jim Sr.” Grebe took over operations in the 1950s. A man of great vision, he began selling Grebe’s products at wholesale to supermarkets throughout the greater Milwaukee area. In the 1980s, Jim Sr. broadened Grebe’s wholesale line to include convenience stores such as SuperAmerica and White Hen Pantry, and took over servicing additional customers when both Meurer’s and Kohl’s bakeries closed. Jim Sr. soon expanded further into 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 even offered a private catering company which serviced school, hospital, and manufacturing cafeterias, as well as banquet halls.

1990's-
Early 2000's

When Jim Sr. passed in 2002, his son, James Walter “Jim Jr.” Grebe, was named President & Owner of Grebe’s Bakery.  When Crestwood Bakery closed its doors in 2004, Jim Jr.  purchased the rights to produce Crestwood recipes under the Crestwood label, and Grebe’s began servicing Sentry Foods stores.  Jim Jr. grew and maintained the business through January 20, 2016, when he passed away at the age of 57.

PRESENT

Jim Jr.’s legacy lives on through his sons - now the 4th-generation co-owners of Grebe’s Bakery.  Brandon, President, oversees all facets of the business.  He also serves as Co-Director of Original Cream Puffs at the Wisconsin State Fair.  Colton, Executive Vice President of Operations, is a graduate of the AIB International Baking program.  He enjoys research & development, implementing new employment strategies, and performing community outreach.  

Visit Grebe’s at the Wisconsin State Fair where we operate the Miller Lite Sports Bar & Grill, Grebe’s Espresso Bar, and Grebe’s Bakery & Coffee Bar, located in the Expo Center!  

The brothers’ 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 80 years.

Find Grebe’s famous donuts and baked goods at your local Speedway, Sentry, Sendik’s, Woodman’s or Piggly Wiggly, in addition to many other locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin!  

Thank you for your support!

Mrs. Grebe icon

80+

Years Baked Fresh
bakery icon

300+

Distributor Locations

7000

Donuts Daily

200

Happy Bakers
TOP

Due to staffing and supply chain issues, we are temporarily unable to accept orders for decorated cookies, cupcakes, and cakes.  We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and hope to offer these options again in the near future.