For several decades the Baker Bread Company operated a plant at South and Eighth streets.
The president of the company, W.R. Baker, had leaned his trade at the Stolzenbach Bakery: “W.R. Baker, a prominent business man and assistant manager of the business of Stolzenbach Branch, United States Baking Company, owes his nativity to Deavertown, Morgan County, Ohio, where his birth occurred in 1852.
“He attended the public schools of his native place, and in 1870 came to Zanesville, where he entered the employ of a wholesale grocery company. He worked himself up to the position of traveling salesman, and for about twelve years covered territory in southeast Ohio. In January, 1885, he engaged in his present business.” (History of Muskingum County, originally published, 1892, p. 382).
According to a Zanesville Signal advertisement dated 3-15-1944, “…the Baker Bread Company was founded out of the Stolzenbach Bakery, with W.R. Baker as president and Frank A. Baker as manager. In 1919, W.R. Baker assumed the manager ship, and at that time, Robert J. Baker, who is now head of the firm, began his career in the bakery. Alfred Baker, who represents the fourth generation of the family, is now secretary-treasurer and assistant manager.”
On Feb. 12, 1914, the Zanesville Courier stated: “The Baker Bread Company, which operates the Quality Shop on Main Street between Fourth and Fifth Sts., has taken over the city bread trade of the National Biscuit Company and will sell its product in Zanesville and surrounding towns. In addition to the establishment on Main Street the company will maintain a salesroom in connection with the plant itself. About 30 people will be actively employed and the capacity of the factory will be 16,000 loaves per day.“
The Courier then described the opening of the new plant: “The Baker Bread Company yesterday made its first successful baking in the new plant at Eighth and South streets and made its first shipments to customers. Several preliminary tryouts were made but the plant was put into real commission for the first time Wednesday. Although all the machinery is new and many of its modern features are so unusual that the average bakery employee is unused to them, the work progressed with a marvelous smoothness, and when a Courier reporter visited the place this morning, he noted that affairs were being carried on as though the concern had been in operation for years instead of merely hours.
“Bread and cakes of all sorts are baked by the concern. The members of the firm are very proud of their new plant because it is the most modern in the state and on equality with most any in the country. There is no plant like it in Ohio. All its features exhibit a careful selection of the best materials and an arrangement which makes to convenience and sanitation.
“The new Baker plant is a modern durable structure, consisting of a basement and two stories. The second story does not extend completely over the building. Its interior is not yet ready for a minute structural description but everywhere is noted an endeavor to make everything most cleanly and sanitary. White enamel paint covers all woodwork and white glazed brick are the lining of the walls. The main section is devoted to bread making, while another department, similar except in minor details, is devoted to cakes.”
The company’s most popular brand was Plezol. The following information is from a Zanesville Signal article dated 10-31-1950: “We are justly proud that PLEZOL has been selected for this honor in our community. We have received this valued citation for the FRESHNESS…FLAVOR…QUALITY…UNIFORMITY…CLEANLINESS…AND GOOD VALUE of our loaf. We pledge ourselves to merit this BLUE RIBBON AWARD always. No wonder PLEZOL was declared the FIRST PRIZE BLUE RIBBON WINNER. It’s the perfect white bread and discriminating local housewives have known that for years. Every step in the blending and baking process is in the capable hands of skilled craftsmen who take pride in upholding The Baker Bread Co. tradition of superior quality.”
Alfred William Baker the fourth generation member to run the company, received help from his wife, Wilfred “Willie” Baker:
“In 1966, with her youngest child in college, Willie launched her professional career. Willie’s first job was head of marketing for her husband’s bread company which conducted business throughout southeastern and central Ohio under the names of Plezol, Butternut, and Miami Made Bread. She consummated a transaction with Saga Foods to service eight area colleges. She also was awarded the contract to sell buns in the Ohio Stadium for the Ohio State University football games and negotiated contracts with Sheraton Hotels, Burger King, and Burger Boy Fooderama.” (Times Recorder, 9-24-2011).
In 1970 Nickles’ Bakery purchased the Baker Bread Company. Alfred and Willie Baker bought a retirement home in Vero Beach, Florida, in 1986. Alfred died in 2001; Willie passed away in 2011.
Lewis Lemaster is a retired teacher of the Zanesville area.
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Baker Bread Company was major local success story - Zanesville Times Recorder
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