Mrs. Backer’s Pastry Shop
“I’ve been here for fifty-two years. I started when I was twenty.” Thus began my delightful and inspiring conversation with Renee Backer, a strong, energetic seventy-two-year-old woman at the heart of Mrs. Backer’s Bakery. When I asked Renee if she had a few minutes to share the history of Mrs. Backer’s, she quickly replied, “There are articles that have been written about us since 1942. Our story has been told over and over, but I guess there is always something new to add.”
Renee married the oldest son of the Backer family, the only one interested in taking over his parents’ bakery business. Together, they ran the bakery until they sold it to their two children. “My son and daughter grew up in the shop. There wasn’t much left for them to learn and selling it to them was the right thing to do."
Going back to 1925, Renee shared that her husband’s grandfather immigrated to the United States, sponsored by his sister who lived in Salt Lake City. In his tiny home, he began baking—something he had been doing all his life in Germany—before opening the bakery in 1941. Pausing for a moment, Renee remarked, “Well now, it has been almost 100 years since this all began.”
Mr. Backer passed away in 2023, but Renee stays involved. "I come down and assist wherever I can - I am a jack of all trades." Her dedication is unwavering, and she delights in maintaining connections with longtime customers. People often bring in photos of their parents’ wedding cakes from the 1960s and ask if the bakery can replicate them in a smaller version for their own weddings. “We are always seeing the children and grandchildren of older customers,” Renee shares, highlighting the bakery’s lasting impact on generations of families.
Salt Lake City has changed dramatically since the 1940s, and Mrs. Backer’s Bakery has evolved with it. “You have to be flexible and change with the times.” Her children, now at the helm, help the bakery stay current with trends. “In 1960, pineapple flavored filling was what customers loved. In 1990, it was raspberry, and now in 2024, we are back to pineapple. Everything old is new again. We’ve just learned to go with the flow.” Nothing seems to shock or surprise Renee.
“Two things that have remained consistent over the decades are our quality of ingredients and our customer service. Without these two things, our business would never have survived." Back in 1941, the bakery was a full-service operation, offering breads, cakes, cookies, and more. Over time, they specialized in three principal areas—cakes, French pastries, and cookies—all of which continue to be popular. In addition to their mainstays, Mrs. Backer’s is known for its breakfast items, teddy bear donuts, and especially the meat pies. “These are from a very old recipe in Europe, and for some reason, we still sell a ton,” Renee marvels.
When asked if she still enjoys coming to the bakery each week, Renee’s response was filled with warmth. “I chase joy. People refer to me as ‘un-offendable’ Renee." Her enthusiasm and love for the bakery are evident, and her joy comes from serving the community and continuing the legacy of Mrs. Backer’s Bakery.
