Filed Under Business

Karsh's Bakery

Serving Phoenix from 1965-2014

A longstanding Kosher bakery in the downtown Phoenix area closed on March 26, 2014 after being open for nearly fifty years.

Karsh's Bakery opened in 1965 and then relocated to its last location in downtown Phoenix in 1980. The final location for the bakery was at Seventh Street near Missouri Avenue. Karsh's Bakery was one of only a handful of bakeries supervised by the Phoenix Vaad Hakashruth. The Phoenix Vaad Hakashruth is an Orthodox, non-profit organization that oversees Kosher certification in Phoenix, Arizona.

The bakery was known for making a variety of pastries, bagels, and bread by hand every day. Karsh's Bakery was notably recognized for its handmade Challah and Rye bread. The bakery even supplied local restaurants in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area with baked goods.

On March 26, 2014, after nearly fifty years of business, Karsh's Bakery closed its doors for the last time. The bakery was suffering from increasing numbers of bakeries moving into the area and could no longer compete. Patrons visited Karsh's Bakery one last time to sample the pastries and baked goods from their local establishment. Wayne Kindig, the owner, could be seen behind the bakery counter enjoying one last conversation with his customers. Karsh's bakery could open its doors again but in a smaller capacity.

Images

Making Bagels at Karsh's Bakery
Making Bagels at Karsh's Bakery Karsh's Bakery has been open since the early 1960s. The kosher bakery offers a large assortment of breads, cakes and other baked goods. Source: Arizona Jewish Historical Society, Jewish News Collection, Making Bagels at Karsh's, 1973, https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/42181?keywords=karsh%26%23039%3Bs+bakery&highlights=WyJrYXJzaCdzIiwiYmFrZXJ5Il0%3D&lsk=585b4f49310e9f93628c08b5e67b1968 accessed December 7, 2016. Permalink Date: March 23, 1973
Karsh's Bakery Owner Wayne Kindig
Karsh's Bakery Owner Wayne Kindig Owner Wayne Kindig standing behind the counter of Karsh's bakery on its last day, March 26, 2014. Source: AZ Central: The Arizona Republic, Stacie Scott, Karsh's Bakery in Phoenix Closes http://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/dining/2014/03/26/karshs-bakery-phoenix-closes/6916731/ accessed December 7, 2016. Permalink Creator: Stacie Scott Date: March 26, 2014
Karsh's Bakery
Karsh's Bakery Patrons line up outside of Karsh's Bakery to get one last offering of Kosher baked goods. The local bakery has been open for fifty years, but on March 26, 2014 it sadly closed its doors. Source: Phoenix New Times, Karshs' Bakery - Closed http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/location/karshs-bakery-6486472 accessed December 7, 2016. Creator: Evie Carpenter
Karsh's Bakery Display Cakes
Karsh's Bakery Display Cakes Cakes on display for the last time in Karsh's Bakery in downtown Phoenix. Karsh's Bakery closed its doors on March 26, 2014. Source: CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation), Iconic Phoenix Bakery Closes Doors after 46 Years http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/25081650/iconic-phoenix-bakery-closes-doors-after-46-years accessed December 7, 2016. Date: March 26, 2014

Location

5555 N. 7th St. Phoenix, AZ 85014

Metadata

Heather Roehl, “Karsh's Bakery,” Salt River Stories, accessed May 19, 2024, https://saltriverstories.org/items/show/220.