Inside Tennessee’s oldest bakery that brings in visitors from all over the country

TRACY CITY, Tenn. ( WKRN ) — One small town in Grundy County is home to about 1,500 people, but that doesn’t include the thousands of visitors that come from all over to visit the oldest family-owned bakery in Tennessee.

Walking through the doors of Dutch Maid Bakery in Tracy City is like taking a step back in time.

“I would consider the bakery to be kind of like a museum….that’s working,” said Cindy Day, owner of Dutch Maid.

Founded in 1902 by Swiss immigrants, Dutch Maid is the oldest family owned bakery in the state.

“My favorite part of the bakery is when people eat what I make, and I get to hear them say that’s the best I ever had,” said Day.

Day is only the third owner of the bakery after an extended family member put it on the market in 2005.

“Sweetheart, the bakery is for sale! I think we should move back to Tennessee,” Day remembered telling her husband Gary.

Her husband Gary was still on the fence, responding with, “Are you nuts?!”

But almost 20 years later, Gary told News 2’s Blake Eason he’s proud of what they’ve continued together.

“My daughter got me a shirt that says, ‘you retired, but you work for your wife now,'” laughed Gary.

Everything inside the bakery is hand cut and handmade, continuing a decades old tradition.

“It makes it where the items you make are made with love,” said Day. “They are time, tested and true.”

Not to mention the antique appliances that have been passed down from generation to generation.

“Like this old antique mixer, it’s from 1928, and we still use it for fruitcake and fruitcake alone,” said Day.

Nothing is fast or instant at Dutch Maid, each item is intentionally made, according to Day.

“It’s got such a warm sense about it, that feeling like they’re coming home to Grandma’s house,” said Day.

And according to the bakery’s sign in sheet, visitors travel from all over just to get a taste of what’s inside.

Day said the salt rising bread is the most popular bread and sourdough isn’t far behind, but the cinnamon rolls take the top spot amongst everyone.

From the bakery to the café, Dutch Maid continues to stand the test of time.

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