Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The Hauser family; (L to R) Kelsie, Cindy, Jerry and Jessica worked one last day in the Bacherei Saturday. After 25 years of running the dowtown bakery Jerry and Cindy Hauser retired from the doughnut business.

NEW ULM — After 25 years in business, Backerei owners Jerry and Cindy Hauser are hanging up the aprons.

Saturday was the Hausers last day as owners of the famous downtown bakery and coffee shop. In celebration of their retirement, the Backerei was giving away free mint bismarks to the first 400 customers.

Even though the Hausers will no longer operate the bakery, the Backerei will continue with new owners, Amanda and Craig “Bill” Hacker, who will take over ownership on Monday, July 1.

Jerry said they had a good early morning turnout for a Saturday. He said customers usually sleep in late on Saturday, but Saturday was different. Loyal customers wanted to wish them well in retirement.

Jerry has owned the Backerei for 25 years, but he has worked as a baker for 40 years. “I’ve enjoyed doing it, but it is a lot of hours,” he said.

The responsibility of running the Backerei required the Hausers to get up before the birds in order to have baked goods ready for the morning.

Cindy said retirement would give them more time with the grandchildren. The greatest challenge would be getting a new sleep schedule.

Jerry and Cindy said there the first adventure in retirement is to take the grandchildren fishing on Monday.