A Senate resolution honoring Emily's Bakery and Deli in Hastings.

WHEREAS, our state is greatly enhanced by the presence of small businesses that serve as a part of our history; and

WHEREAS, Emily's Bakery and Deli was founded in 1906, when Joseph and Anton Pitz bought a bakery from J. A. Amberg and established The Pitz Bakery; and

WHEREAS, in 1946, Peter Dielentheis, a master baker who trained in Germany, bought the bakery from the Pitzes. Two years later, Peter sold it to the Walkers, who renamed it Hastings Home Bakery. Peter was a brother-in-law to Elmer and Emily Walker, the grandparents of Steve and Norine, who are the bakery's current owners; and WHEREAS, since the Walkers' purchase of the business, the bakery has remained a family enterprise, as Elmer and Emily Walker's six children each contributed to the bakery's success through the years; and

WHEREAS, William 'Buzz' Walker, Elmer and Emily's son, made baking his career. In 1965, Buzz became the owner of the newly built and renamed Midtown Bakery, which was located in the Midtown Shopping Center; and

WHEREAS, in 1980, Buzz's sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Gene Fuchs, purchased the bakery. Peggy and Gene's son, Steve Fox, had started working for Buzz in January 1980 and he was joined in the business by his siblings; and WHEREAS, in 1985, Gene and Peggy opened a deli in downtown Hastings and their daughter, Norine, also worked there until 1987. When Norine joined the business, the old coffee bar and restaurant were replaced by the deli; and WHEREAS, in 1988, Peggy and Gene turned the business over to their children, Steve and Norine, who renamed the business Emily's Bakery and Deli in honor of their grandmother; and

WHEREAS, Steve and Norine expanded the store in 1990 and the business grew through the decades to include a staff of nearly 40 employees; and

WHEREAS, over the years, Emily's Bakery and Deli built a reputation for both quality and service. As a full-service bakery, Emily's Bakery and Deli offered a wide variety of baked goods, including some signature recipes all baked from scratch, with a deli section of soups, sandwiches, and salads; and WHEREAS, after over a century in the community, Emily's Bakery and Deli has announced that they will close their doors on November 20, 2021; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it congratulates Emily's Bakery and Deli in Hastings on over 100 years of outstanding service to their community extends best wishes to the staff in their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to Norine Bishop and Steve Fox of Emily's Bakery and Deli.

Cal R. Ludeman Secretary of the Senate Jeremy R. Miller Chair, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration Karla Bigham State Senator, District 54