Paczki has been a traditional baked good in Polish culture since the Middle Ages. These delicious cousins of doughnuts are consumed in mass quantities on “Paczki Day,” typically observed on Mardi Gras. Every year, area bakeries serve thousands of paczki to hungry customers looking to celebrate before Lent. (Yes, “paczki” is the correct plural—
“paczkis” is not a word. And the correct pronunciation is “puhnch-kee,” not “packz-ee.”)
“I think people like the tradition,” said Colleen Barnhart, owner of Main Street Sweets in Sylvania. “They’re just a once-a-year-type thing for us. I know some of the grocery stores have them out already, but we just do it the week of Fat Tuesday, so it’s like a one-time-a-year deal here, you can only get it at this time of year.”
This is Barnhart’s first year working on Paczki Day since she purchased Main Street Sweets from Don and Bonnie Brieschke. Under the former owners, Main Street has served paczki for nearly four decades. Don and Bonnie will actually return to the shop this season to help Barnhart keep the tradition alive.
At family-owned Geer Edibles in Mayberry Square in Sylvania, they are preparing for their second paczki season.
“It was pretty overwhelming for how bad the snow was last year,” said Sherry Geer, daughter of owners Tom and Andrea. “A lot of people still showed up and supported us. We’re looking forward to it. We’re definitely making some changes in our flavors…now we know what to expect from the area and what they’re looking for in the flavors.”
Here is a sampling of area businesses and bakeries that will have paczki available this year:
Bakery Unlimited
4427 Secor Rd. 419-472-7098. bakeryunlimitedtoledo.com
Cafe Donuts
5330 Monroe St. 419-882-1787. facebook.com/Cafedonutstoledo
Don’s Donuts
2911 Woodville Rd., Northwood. 419-693-9043. facebook.com/donsdonut
Geer Edibles
8252 Mayberry Sq., Sylvania. 567-455-5903. geer-edibles.com
Haas Bakery
2306 Starr Ave., Oregon. 419-698-2000. haas-bakery.com
Main Street Sweets
5639 Main St., Sylvania. 419-882-2302. facebook.com/mainstreetsweetssylvania
Michael’s Cafe and Bakery
101 Main St. #7. 419-698-2988. michaelsoftoledo.com
Sautter’s Market
5519 Main St., Sylvania, 419-885-3505. 9533 Waterville Swanton Rd., Waterville. 419-878-7691. sauttersmarket.com
Strachn Bakery
759 S. Holland-Sylvania Rd. 759-867-8297. strachnbakery.com
Walt Churchill’s Market
3320 Briarfield Blvd., Maumee, 419-794-4000. 26625 N. Dixie Hwy., Perrysburg, 419-872-6900. waltchurchillsmarket.com
Wixey Bakery
2017 Glendale Ave. 419-382-6684. facebook.com/wixeybakery
