Kalamazoo Bakery Announces Closing After 62 Years; Offers Heartfelt Message to the Community

Another business in Kalamazoo is closing its doors soon, and this one really hurts, because they've been open for more than 60 years.

But in a recent social media post, Boonzaaijer Bakery has announced they will be shutting off the ovens, hanging up their aprons, and closing for good at the end of the year.

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Kalamazoo has seen a lot of businesses close over the past few years, some due to the pandemic, some due to changing eating habits, and some because of inflated prices of the goods and services they offer.

But sometimes, it's just time to hang it up.

Boonzaaijer Bakery has been open in Kalamazoo for 62 years. It was originall opened by Karel and Maria Boonzaayer, who immigrated from the Netherlands in 1961. They set up its original location on South Burdick Street before moving to its current location on Cork Street in 2002.

In 1995, however, their son-in-law, Marty Horjus, has been running the joint tirelessly. Tuesday, he and his wife Maria, announced they had decided to end the run.

"It is with great solemnity that we share this change with you all. It has come time for our ovens to cool, our aprons to come off, and our doors to close for the last time on December 23. This decision has been made with a great deal of prayer and consideration; and although it isn't easy, we believe it is the right time."

You can read the full post on their social media page below, but the outpouring from the community has been immense since the announcement.

We, too, would like to offer our thanks for what the Boonzaaijer Bakery has meant to the community, to Kalamazoo, and to people with a sweet tooth for so many years now.