Serving authentic Dutch baked goods since 1954...

In 1952, Walter and Hilda Valkema had a family business in Audega, in Friesland the northern section of the Netherlands.  Like any loving father and mother, they wished for a better life for their kids and decided to try a life in the “land of the free.”  So, with their four children (and very little money) came to the USA with the help of a gentleman named Owen Aukema.  Owen sponsored the family, securing a job for Walter and a home for his family in Sussex, NJ. Walter’s new job was to milk cows - he thought “anyone can milk a cow”, so he tried. He soon realized that was not the case -he was not good at it, at all. Some days after Walter finished milking, he would tinker around the kitchen at home making a few of the Dutch treats, of what he made daily back in the Netherlands. Eventually he bought another oven, had it installed in the garage so he could make more treats for his fellow immigrant friends.

As time went on, Walter made a name for himself in rural northern New Jersey.  With his success in the kitchen (and lack there of in the barn), Owen and Walter agreed that he should bake full time instead of milking cows.  Soon enough, Walter bought the home and property from his neighbor Owen. Walter and his family converted the garage into a small store front, and the weekend of July 4th in 1954, the Holland American Bakery was officially open for business.  They sold a variety of baked goods—mostly Dutch, but also some American treats too.  Not long after, Walter and his wife purchased a few delivery trucks and filled them with treats to deliver baked goods.  They peddled their treats around local lake communities and other areas where they knew Dutch immigrants lived. As time went on, Walter and Hilda, with the help of their children, built a strong faith-based family business.

After about twelve years of their success, their only son Sam, who was already very much a part of the business, took over when he married.  The funny part is that Sam married Owen Aukema’s daughter Dotty; the girl next door. Remember?--They were neighbors! Sam and Dotty married in September of 1966 and bought the business/home that Walter and Hilda built.   Soon, Sam and Dotty saved enough to transform the home and adjoining business into an authentic looking building straight out of Freisland.  The buildings were completely renovated inside and out to give it not only the "Old World" look, but also feel. Soon after, they decided to stop the delivery business because they noticed that more and more women (those who went for groceries) were driving, so the delivery trucks were no longer needed.  Over the years, Sam Sam The Baker Man and Dotty had 6 children who all did their part working in the family business.  As time went by, each of their children made decisions regarding their own future as to weather or not the bakery would be a part of it. 

In 1999, Owen, Sam and Dotty’s 4th child made the decision to take on the family business.  Owen had married Stephanie and they decided with Sam and Dotty that on January 1, of 2000 they would take over the bakery business and all that it entailed.  They moved into the home that Sam and Dotty had renovated which was adjoined to the bakery - Sam & dotty relocating a mile away from the store.  Slowly but surely they got the hang of running the business, in addition to raising a family of their own.  Owen was sure to get things done the way he wanted to but also strived to make his family proud of what he would bring to the business.  Later he and Stephanie would do some more renovations as well.  They started with taking credit cards as a payment oprtion- then added a website and started selling one type of cookie online, the famous Speculaas. Once people knew these were available,  they started asking for more goods; most of which came from the fond memories of their childhood. Some asked specifically for items they remembered being delivered in the bakery trucks to their summer home.

Today, Owen and Stephanie have 5 children.  Not only has their family grown, but so has the business. Thanksgiving through New Years Day is an extremely busy time.  We cater to people who want to remember their family holidays with goodies their Beppe’s, and Oma’s made when they were kids.  We are proud of the quality goods we bake and send out -  whether it be over the counter or packed up in a box to be shipped. We use the same recipes brought over from the Netherlands when Owens grandfather immigrated - We are determined to follow the lead of Walter & Hilda and of Sam & Dotty, we continue to run a strong, faith-based family business based on quality and freshness for as long as possible.

This is our families way of life since 1954. 

Thank you for your interest. 

–Owen and Stephanie