Spindler's Bakery: A Hasbrouck Heights Tradition Returns to Town

Spindler’s Bakery: A Hasbrouck Heights Tradition returns to town

“What makes our business a success is that we get involved in the day to day operation of our bakery,” said Ginny Spindler, who along with her husband, Bob, reopened Spindler’s Bakery in 2008. “For a customer, it is nice to meet the owner where they can connect with you. We have customers who are multi-generational. I have worked at Spindler’s Bakery since I was in high school and have watched customers come in who are now coming in with their children and grandchildren. We have a very loyal following.”

Spindler’s Bake Shop was opened in 1956 by Bill Spindler Sr., Bob’s father, who had immigrated to this country from Austria and his wife, Marie. “Some of my father-in-law’s family had lived in Emerson at the time and my father-in-law had invested in bakeries both in Hasbrouck Heights and Jersey City, but wanted to concentrate on only one establishment, so he put both of them up for sale and the one that sold first was the one in Jersey City, so he concentrated on building the business in Hasbrouck Heights. He brought our famous cookie recipe which we are so known for at the bakery.”

Spindler’s remained a family affair until 1988 when the bakery closed. “My husband got an excellent job in the grocery industry and wanted to concentrate on spending time with our family.”

“It was fate that we had reopened,” Ginny added. “I had just been laid off from my job and we both really missed the business. Then the owner of our old space closed up shop about the same time and we looked at one another and said it was the right time to reopen. The timing was perfect.”

The Spindler family has a long history in Hasbrouck Heights. Bob’s parents had lived in town for over 30 years and Bob and his brother, Bill grew up in town and are Alumnus of Hasbrouck Heights High School. Bob and Ginny set their roots in town as well and their children, Tracy and Bobby are HHHS Alumnus as well.

“Bob started to bake when he was 10 years old and grew up in his parent’s business,” Ginny explained. “That’s how we met. I was working the counter in high school and we got to know one another and enjoyed each other’s company. It’s funny now how we can finish each other’s sentences. When our children were young, they also helped in the business as well and had done so through their college years. Even now as graduates with their own jobs, they still help out baking cookies and doing work around the store. We have a lot of fun when it is just the four of us working at the store on late nights,” Ginny said with a smile. “We really enjoy working together as a family.”

“When we reopened the bakery, we brought back some of the favorites that the bakery had been known for in the past and our traditional customer base can still find the same crumb cakes, seven layer cakes, novelty cakes and turnovers that they bought in the past,” Ginny said. “Where we have seen tremendous growth has been in our wholesale cookie business. We are selling them in ShopRite’s throughout New Jersey, at Best Yet Markets on Long Island and in specialty shops.”

“What started out as a fanciful package of cookies to give as gifts has blossomed into a commercial business that keeps growing every year,” Ginny said. “I would give our packaged cookies as gifts to people during the holidays and I would find that they would return the tins hoping we would fill them with cookies again in the future. This is what has made the cookie business successful. We want to produce and package our product that I would bring with pride to someone’s home for a special occasion. Please look for our signature gold label, ‘Spindler’s Gourmet Butter Cookies’.”

“We use the freshest ingredients in all of our products. All of our cookies are hand-dipped and we take special pride in packaging them in attractive boxes or with colorful bows. We match the quality of the packaging with the quality of our product. All our products are made with the freshest eggs, butter and sugar. No preservatives are added.  To us, reputation is important.”

“What also sets us apart from the supermarkets is that we still make all the specialty items at the holidays that you can’t find elsewhere,” Ginny said. “We still make the traditional gingerbread man and gingerbread houses that we can customize with the person’s name on it. We still make lamb cakes at Easter and currently for the 4th of July, we will be making red, white and blue cupcakes and fresh fruit tarts to mark the beginning of the Summer. You won’t these things elsewhere but in a private bakery.”

“We as a family and as a business try to offer the best product we can make,” Ginny concluded. “We offer very good customer service and a friendly atmosphere to all of our customers. I have to say that I love what I do!”

Spindler’s Bakery

247 Boulevard

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ

(201) 288-1345