1978
Anna Mae Wagler
Anna Mae Wagler is a local Mennonite lady who began this business in 1978. She started it by baking pies in her home and selling them at the end of her laneway. Her business began as a means of survival after her husbands health had taken a turn for the worse.
In the beginning, they also sold fresh produce from their garden but after dealing with the tribulations of farming, they decided to just stick with baking. Initially it was only open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Soon the business grew to have 8 employees.
In November of 1991, she moved to our current location on Perth Line 72 after the township ordered her out of her house. It was only intended to be a bakery and small café with about 7 tables and a counter. One night a guest requested a hot meal and the rest is history. That was the beginning of our hot meals and is how we came to have the selection of Mennonite cooking we offer today.
Soon after she began serving hot meals, she developed a 5 week rotating meat schedule which can be found on our website. Guests love that we have this schedule so they can be sure to come on their favourite days. Anna Mae also began serving Broasted Chicken which has contributed to the restaurants ongoing success.
Anna Mae sold it to Marlene and the late Mel Herrfort, also local residents & members of Riverdale Mennonite Church, on February 27, 2001. They have been operating with a commitment to the same business practices and principles that Anna Mae’s was founded on.
Amanda Herrfort (Mel & Marlene’s Daughter) who has been employed at Anna Mae’s since 2001, is the General Manager, with Sheila Bauman (an employee of 15+ years) as the Kitchen & Bakery Manager, and Alyssa van der Linden (Mel & Marlene’s granddaughter) as the Assistant Manager.
Amanda took Business Management Studies at Conestoga College and plans to operate the family business for many years to come. Over the years the Herrforts have put an addition on the bakery, the lobby, and the seating areas which gives us the structure we have today.
Our restaurant now has 51 tables, a counter, and seats almost 200 people.
We pride our selves in serving local, fresh, quality food at reasonable prices. All of our baking is made fresh in-house daily! We are a family operated business and take pride in operating our business with respect, honesty, and integrity. We hope that you will join us!
2001
Mel Herfort
Anna Mae sold it to Marlene and the late Mel Herrfort, also local residents, on February 27, 2001 and they have been operating with a commitment to the same business practices and principles that Anna Mae’s was founded on.
Amanda Herrfort (Mel & Marlene’s Daughter) who has been employed at Anna Mae’s since 2001, is the General Manager, with Sheila Bauman (an employee of 10+ years) as the Kitchen & Bakery Manager, and Alyssa van der Linden (Mel & Marlene’s granddaughter) as the Assistant Manager.
Amanda took Business Management Studies at Conestoga College and plans to operate the family business for many years to come. Over the years the Herrforts have put an addition on the bakery, the lobby, and the seating areas which gives us the structure we have today.
Our restaurant now has 51 tables, a counter, and seats 200 people. We currently staff about 100+ employees, many of which are from the Amish and Mennonite heritage.
We pride our selves in serving local, fresh, quality food at reasonable prices. All of our baking is homemade daily just the way mom used to make it! We are a family operated business and take pride in operating our business with respect, honesty, and integrity. We hope that you will join us!
