From market stalls to Bridge Street
The Little German Bakery began with a craving for real bread — the hearty, robust loaves Doris grew up with and couldn’t find here. So she started baking them herself. In 2016, Doris Whelan began selling her breads at farmers’ markets in Carleton Place, Brockville, Kingston, and beyond, and word spread fast: there’s nothing like a proper German loaf, pretzel, or pastry.
Market regulars became devoted fans who planned their weekends around a fresh Berliner or a warm loaf. So in June 2023, Doris and her husband and business partner, Rob Seto, converted a space in downtown Carleton Place into a fully working specialty bakery — contractors, hard-to-find equipment, health regulations and all — giving their treats a permanent home at 14 Bridge Street.
Today the little shop draws visitors from across the Ottawa Valley. The recipes haven’t changed. Neither has the promise: honest baking, made from scratch, fresh every single morning. Even our custard Berliner was a happy accident — a batch made without jam that customers loved so much it earned a permanent spot in the case.
The journey so far
Missing the hearty loaves of home, Doris starts baking them herself — and selling them at farmers’ markets in Carleton Place and across Eastern Ontario.
Brockville and Kingston foodies build weekend rituals around the stall. Christmas markets — including Lansdowne in Ottawa — introduce the pretzels to thousands more.
After a lot of sweat (and a little flour), Doris and Rob open the storefront at 14 Bridge Street in Carleton Place’s historic downtown core.
Rated 4.9 stars by our wonderful customers, and still baking every morning like it’s market day.