Our Beginning…

The history of Heitzman Bakery is long and rich. In 1888 Jacob Heitzman immigrated from Germany and eventually made it to Louisville. Jacob was a brick maker and found quick work forming and firing bricks off Newburg road (Kiln Ct.). But the winters were cold and brutal for outdoor work. Jacob turned his interest to baking! His bakery was out of his residence in 1891 at what is now 308 Baxter Ave.

Jacob had two sons Joe, Charles that eventually opened their Bakeries at two new locations Joe at the Loop on Bardstown Road in the Highlands. Charles at 1036 East Burnett in Germantown.

This page is under continuous construction. Sorry for the temporary blank spaces.

Original Location of Louisville’s NEWEST Bakery, less the extra “n”

Later 1890’s

A black and white photo of Jacob Heitzman's first bakery building with a sign reading "Heitzman's Bakery" and "Confectionery." There's also a sign mentioning variety baking from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. at Louisville's Newest Bakery, in 1891!
Black and white portrait of Jacob Heitzman, circa 1950.

Jacob Heitzman

Original Business Sign for Jacob Heitzmann Bakery and Confectionery, located at 1308 Baxter Ave., near Fetter and Rogers Streets. 1891.

Original Sign 1890’s for Jacob. Note: TWO n’s!

Charles Heitzman’s Germantown Store 1945

Charles Heitzman, circa 1950. Note, the tip of the feather to Charles' hobby of 80 years, Racing pigeons. He bred and shipped them world-wide to over 20 countries during his life./

Charles Heitzman

Charles’ Germantown store 1925

Germantown Store Complete with our Model A Ford Delivery Truck and Our Tenant - Kroger Store c. 1934

Charles Heitzman Bakery Germantown circa 1945
A collaboration of Louisville Bakers, led by Charles Heitzman, made this cake around 1940 to celebrate Franklin Roosevelt's Birthday

President Roosevelt’s Birthday Cake circa 1940

Inside Burnett Ave location circa 1925.

1960’s - 1970’s

In 1959, Paul and Mary Agnes Osting (daughter of Charles Heitzman) purchased the Germantown Store from Charles. Quickly expanded to a second location at Third and Newcut Road. Then embarked on a big project of renovating the upper level of the Germantown Store into an onsite Catering Venue that hosted hundreds of wedding receptions, banquets, anniversaries and business functions. The “Golden Room” was known city wide for their Fried Chicken, and German potato salad.

The 1970’s saw the addition of their sons Paul and Mary Ann, Tim and Debbie Osting.

The business grew to six locations in Louisville: Burnett Ave, Third and NewCut, Brownsboro Road, Eastland Center, Poplar Level Rd, Hurstbourne Lane.

Each location had a following of hundreds of loyal Louisville customers.

Paul and Mary Agnes (Heitzman Bakery) Osting purchased the bakery of Charles Heitzman in 1959, and keeping the Heitzman Bakery name.

Paul and Mary Agnes Osting

Paul Osting Sr. 1965

Paul Osting, in 1964 de orating a large corporate cake.

1980’s

1980- Happy 90th Birthday Colonel Sanders

1981 - Backside Derby Cake

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987 1891 Hikes Lane

1988- Chi-Chis

1989

1990 Superamerica

A vintage portrait of an elderly woman and a middle-aged man, both smiling, dressed in formal clothing, with the woman wearing glasses and a beige blazer, and the man wearing glasses, a checked suit, and a patterned tie.

Paul Osting Sr. 1965

1980’s

1980- Happy 90th Birthday Colonel Sanders

1981 - Backside Derby Cake

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987 1891 Hikes Lane

1988- Chi-Chis

1989

1990 Superamerica

A vintage portrait of an elderly woman and a middle-aged man, both smiling, dressed in formal clothing, with the woman wearing glasses and a beige blazer, and the man wearing glasses, a checked suit, and a patterned tie.

Paul Osting Sr. 1965

1980’s

1980- Happy 90th Birthday Colonel Sanders

1981 - Backside Derby Cake

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987 1891 Hikes Lane

1988- Chi-Chis

1989

1990 Superamerica

A vintage portrait of an elderly woman and a middle-aged man, both smiling, dressed in formal clothing, with the woman wearing glasses and a beige blazer, and the man wearing glasses, a checked suit, and a patterned tie.

Paul Osting Sr. 1965

1980’s

1980- Happy 90th Birthday Colonel Sanders

1981 - Backside Derby Cake

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987 1891 Hikes Lane

1988- Chi-Chis

1989

1990 Superamerica

A vintage portrait of an elderly woman and a middle-aged man, both smiling, dressed in formal clothing, with the woman wearing glasses and a beige blazer, and the man wearing glasses, a checked suit, and a patterned tie.

Paul Osting Sr. 1965