To pause, to reflect
When Pumpernickel Bakery first opened its doors in 1986, it was a small wooden house tucked inside Thamel. There was a quiet garden in front where people could sit, enjoy their breakfast, and listen to the sounds of the city waking up. The scent of freshly baked bread would drift through the air and draw in both travelers and locals. It was a peaceful place where people shared slow mornings and warm food.
In those early days, the menu was simple, and the days moved gently. Travelers who had tasted European breads before were the first to visit. Locals followed soon after, curious about something new. Over time, our little bakery became part of many routines and memories. People stopped by not just to eat but to feel at home.
As years passed, Thamel began to change. The streets grew busier, the pace of life faster, and space became harder to find. Our garden slowly gave way to new rooms, and one floor turned into four. Though our surroundings transformed, the feeling of comfort inside remained the same. Every addition to the building carried with it the same care that once filled the garden.
When the lockdown came, everything paused. The streets were empty again, and the bakery went quiet. It was a time to reflect on how far we had come and what we wanted to keep alive. When we reopened, our space looked newer, but the heart of the bakery felt just as it did in the beginning. The aroma of bread and coffee still welcomed everyone in the same way.
Today, many of our oldest guests still talk about the garden and how they remember sitting there years ago. Some now come with their children, creating new memories where the old ones once lived. For us, that is the most beautiful part of this journey.
We have created a small timeline of our memories and transitions through the years, so the next time you visit, you can pause for a moment and reflect too.
Pumpernickel has grown with the city, but it has never lost its warmth. Every loaf, every table, and every story shared here carries a piece of the past. What began in a small house with a garden continues to rise each morning in the heart of Thamel, held together by the love and loyalty of those who have been part of our story.
