Our History

The History of Kirchhoff’s Bakery

Stepping into Kirchhoff’s Bakery is like stepping back in time, where a rich legacy of tradition meets the flavors of today. For over five generations, our family has combined Old World quality with modern dreams to serve the Paducah community.

The story began in 1873 when Franz Kirchhoff, a young Prussian immigrant, and his wife, Hannah Baumer, opened the original bakery in a small building in downtown Paducah. Using family recipes and a wood-fired oven, they baked bread and other goods, following Old World methods passed down through generations.

In those early years, the family lived above the bakery. Customers included local residents and riverboat travelers who came to town on the Ohio River. At the sound of the steamboat whistle, day or night, Franz would grab his iron wheel cart and head to the riverbank, ensuring that no one went without fresh bread. Over time, Franz’s son and grandson joined the family business, carrying on the traditions and expanding the bakery’s reach.

Kirchhoff’s Bakery became a staple in the region, providing the daily bread for Paducah’s tables until 1957.

Then, in 1996, Louis Frank Kirchhoff, the great-grandson of Franz, reacquired the property on Market Square to pursue his own dream. In 1997, the fifth generation of the family, led by Ginny Kirchhoff-Elmore, reopened Kirchhoff’s Bakery and Deli, reviving a beloved institution.



Today, Kirchhoff’s Bakery and Deli blends time-honored recipes with the finest ingredients to create fresh artisan breads, mouthwatering pastries, and wholesome sandwiches, soups, and salads—just as it was done over 150 years ago.