Davis Baking Company

I'm not sure, but I think the Davis Baking Co. is where my mother would get Moravian sheet cakes when I was very young. I won't swear to it, but I'm pretty sure we used to go in there for something sweet. Every time I see that building, it triggers some very deep memory of a big, airy interior filled with industrial baking equipment, a glass case as a counter at the front, and being excited about getting something sweet.

I was 6 when we left Durham, which is why I don't have clear memories of it.

My family used to get dinner rolls every Sunday from Davis Bakery for years. Until we got a stale dozen, we slowed down our patronage. The birthday cakes and donuts were always the best.

The current occupant is actually a bakery (Panaderia La Favorita), so it's still being used for its longtime purpose.

Davis Baking Co. was still operating when i moved to Durham in 1993, and probably as late as 1995.

by the way, i disagree that widening roads doesn't lead to faster traffic. i think it does, ad a trip up Guess Rd from Carver to Horton will confirm. the question is whether having traffic moving at those speeds is beneficial. While there are air quality concerns that can be met by reducing congestion, the other losses to neighborhood character and overall safety outweigh these. There are other ways to reduce pollution besides increasing throughput and reducing wait times at traffic lights.

The panaderia also had for a time a juke joint or pool hall, on the side were all th windows are. It is also a tienda, a crappy one, the panaderia is not bad.

I like that building, I wish they redo the murals or do some new ones with panaderos bigotones

'Branching Out' was in business there in the late 90s early 00s for a couple of years as far as I remember.

I always thought they got their stock from the magnificent Thriftworld, gussied it up a bit with fancy displays, and marked it up about 10,000%. But the owners did appreciate the building's aesthetic.

When I was little we always got our birthday cakes from there and my mom would always buy a box of the angel food squares for us to snack on before our party...then as I grew up and had kids I did the same, I wish they were still open, I crave those angel food squares to this day!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Man!! Those Angel Food Squares!! That just triggered such a clear vivid memory for me! Those things were the best - I've tried others (left NC in 1980 for NY) and STILL can't find anything as good as those! I miss Durham sometimes, thanks for the pics and reminding me of those delicious treats!!

I grew up in the Duke Forest neighborhood in the '70s and my brother and I would bike to the Lakewood Shopping Center to watch the matinees at the Center Theatre. We would stop to look at the display cases in the Davis Baking Co. and they always had tons of delicious looking and creative sweets to look at. Our Mom took us there sometimes and we were sometimes lucky enough to get some of the cookies or cakes, or doughnuts. Great smells, sights, and memories from that building.

Does anyone know where we can get some of those delicious Angel food squares?

I grew up in the Lakewood area. We went to school where the YMCA is today. It caved in during a snow storm and we were sent to E.K. Powe while they built the new Lakewood School. We attended Lakewood Baptist Church. My parents found out I was tithing to Davis Baking Co on Sundays. The Davis family lived on Prince Street. Long Johns, Bismarks and Butter Rolls were the favorites at our house. Pickett's store was beside the fire station, where Grayson's is today.

I used to live close by the bakery and loved the longjohns and the angel food cakes. My mom always got our birthday cakes there too. I'm now 60 years old and still craving the delicious LONGJOHNS. I moved to california in 1983 and when we visited I always took back a dozen or so. If anyone knows where we could get similiar ones please reply. I'm back in carolina and would really enjoy the sweets...

I grew up in Durham and loved Davis Baking Co....especially their angel food cake squares. My own two children grew up enjoying those squares each birthday and other special occasions. I have tried many times to duplicate those sweet treats but have failed each time. I so wish some family member of the Davis clan would share that recipe with all of us who remember the bakery with such fond memories.

My friend and I were just talking about Davis Baking company yesterday and those Wonderful Angel food squares !!!! If anyone knows another bakery that makes them or the recipe for those, we would love to know it.

I used to live right by the davis Baking Co. I would walk to school in the mornings, the air filled with the smell of baking breads. What wonderful sweets they had. For me it the jelly doughnuts, bismarks, and the best rum cake i've ever had. I have very fond memories of the place.

Memories...My name is James P. Davis IV. I'm te Great Grand son of James P. Davis Sr., also known to many Durhamites as Poppa. My father, uncle and myself closed her down in 96'. As for the A' Squares,cakes, Long Johns, cookies and so on, my father and I as far as know are the only ones that have the original recipies. If my memory is correct, my great grand father and his brother started the company sometime around 34'-36' as a whole food distribution. Then sometime around the mid 60's or 70's they opened up the front to the pblic. Not to sure about the history folks, sorry. The running joke with my grand mother and myself is that on the day of my birth 3/2/78 they brought in the new registe, which oddly enough was from a company named JAY. Which of course is my nickname. Sure ain't easy going by there anymore, with what the memories I have. over half my life up to this point was spent there. I must say to the family that runs it now.....thank you for keeping our sign up. I've been living in Vegas for two years now working as a chef/cook/baker. If it wsn't for the rusty old war horse, so to speak I don't think I'd have the passion for food nor the work ethics I hav. Who knows my fellow Durhamites, maybe one dy I'll dust off the old recipes and start her up again. if not there then somewhere else. but certainly in Durham.

Mr. Davis, I'm just so glad someone has the recipes from Davis Baking Co., especially the recipe for those delicious cake squares. My Daughter to this day still dreams of those cake squares and I have searched and experimented through the years trying to come up with something similar...all to no avail. If you ever do decide to use those recipes to open another Davis Baking Co. we both will certainly be customers. But you'll have to do so sooner than later since none of us are getting any younger. Thanks for sharing!

Dear Mr. Davis,
I too grew up on angel food sheet cakes and squares (It wasn't a birthday without those sheet cakes!) and delicious jelly donuts that melt in your mouth. I would love to have the recipes for these. Are you willing to share them? I would be eternally grateful. I'm also interested in opening a bakery and I would love to chat with you. Please contact me.
Thank you,
Jan (janbelg2003@yahoo.com)
:>)

I lived on Cornwallis Road, and my father would do our grocery shopping in Lakewood Shopping Center. I vaguely remember the Woolworth's, as well. My mother took me to see Star Wars in the Center theater (I wasn't a year old, and I remember it!). But what I remember the most about Lakewood was the Davis Baking Co. I think we'd get birthday cakes there, and I too remember the Angel Food Suares, dinner rolls, and longjohns. We moved in 1984 off of Garrett Road, but sometimes we would still go to Lakewood. It is good to know that those wonderful recipes are still around!

My mother-in-law actually worked at Davis Baking Company for about 50 yrs. She was the tiny little lady, with lots of gray/white/silver hair styled in an "up-do". She started working shortly after they opened (?1930's)and worked there until they closed (1990's). I can remember picking her up from work, and she smelled so good, you just wanted to lean over and "take a bite"! I have many fond memories of that place, including that my wedding cake was made there, and decorated by her.
LH

Please share your recipes or sell them to someone already doing business in the area so people can once again enjoy your wonderful squares and other sweets.

Anonymous, I think we were in school together! I lived on Perkins, and was in the 2nd grade when the roof caved in.(I also went to Powe) When I was at Carr Jr Hi, we would ride the bus to Davis BC, get a long john, and walk the rest of the way home. I remember the angel food squares, and we always got birthday cakes there, too. My best friend, Tula, would always have those Christmas cakes every year- I couldn't wait to eat Christmas lunch with them!

I would love to have one of their angel food cake squares right now! Please Mr. Davis, open up a store and make them again! Durhamites and others would definitely support your endeavors!

J. Hilliard

I, too, remember well Davis Baking Co. for the long johns and angel food squares.  I recently heard there is a woman (who had worked at the bakery) in Creedmoor who has a bakery and makes some of the delicious items we remember from Davis Baking Co.  I have yet to go, but will in the next couple weeks.

Mr. Davis, There are so many of us that excitely, went out of our way to buy treats from Davis Baking Company. My favorite was Long Johns, hands down! I was stationed at Fort Jackson SC in 1969 and for 7 months, about every other weekend my wife and I would drive to Durham to see family. We always made our way from Joyland to Lakewood to buy Long Johns but we learned early on that if we didn't get to DBC early the Long Johns would be sold out. Please do us a favor and start baking Long Johns again! Let us know how to order them on line. I bet a new on-line business would skyrocket. And I also would like also thank the owner's of the Davis Baking Company building for keeping your family's sign right there where it belongs. Who know, maybe some day the place will sale the same items your family sold, including Long Johns. R Williams

Mr. Davis, There are so many of us that excitely, went out of our way to buy treats from Davis Baking Company. My favorite was Long Johns, hands down! I was stationed at Fort Jackson SC in 1969 and for 7 months, about every other weekend my wife and I would drive to Durham to see family. We always made our way from Joyland to Lakewood to buy Long Johns but we learned early on that if we didn't get to DBC early the Long Johns would be sold out. Please do us a favor and start baking Long Johns again! Let us know how to order them on line. I bet a new on-line business would skyrocket. And I also would like also thank the owner's of the Davis Baking Company building for keeping your family's sign right there where it belongs. Who know, maybe some day the place will sale the same items your family sold, including Long Johns. R Williams

We're not in Cuba or Mexico. Why can't we just say it's a store.

Do we have to give up our language along with half the buildings in this town.

Thank God this one is still here, I wonder how long.

James, I hope you still check this from time to time. My name is Annie Davis and my father is William D Davis, James P Davis, Sr.'s nephew. I would love to get the chance to email you if possible.If you could email me: annie.davis82@gmail.com I showed my dad the blog and memories started coming back to him. He still has a carousel that was on his 1st birthday cake that he got from the Bakery from Uncle James. Loving all the memories!!

James, I hope you still look at this. My name is Annie Davis and my father is William D Davis, James P. Davis, Sr's nephew. I would love talk with you or email you if possible....if you could, please get in touch with me...would love to learn more about the family business. annie.davis82@gmail.com Thank you so much and it's great to see so many memories!!

My Brother and I grew up with Davis Baking sweets and my two children grew up with them also, especially those delicious Angel Food Squares which both my Children always wanted for their birthdays. Since Davis has closed I have tried many, many times to duplicate that recipe and have not been able to, much to the distress of my Children. I'm pretty sure they included almond extract but other than that I have no clue. Sure miss them!

Re: Angel Food Squares - didn't they have almond flavoring?

I too have fond memories of Davis Baking Co. and like many others have commented...it wasn't a birthday without the angel food cake squares.  So many bakeries around these days but I haven't found one that makes the angel food cake squares.  I crave them every year!  I grew up in Durham and have enjoyed the history and pictures you have posted here.  Thank you.  And Mr. Davis.....my birthday is in a few months....could you possibly ship some my way???  :D

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Nonas-Bakery-and-Boutique/13156656358… this lady worked their and makes the angel food cake squares. also if she can get the money for a fryer she will do the longjohns. she is in creedmoor nc.

Wow. I was just thinking how much I missed the creme filled goodness of those long johns. I would either buy them at Davis Bakery or sometimes from McDonald's Drugstore. I've never seen -- or tasted -- anything quite like them from anywhere else.

Would love to see the bakery and those recipes revived. My waistline might not approve though. :)

My family owned Davis Baking Company, and my dad, aunts, uncles, and cousins worked there. I was so sad when we closed, but I am so happy to see all of the positive comments. I've seen a lot of comments directed to Mr. Davis about re-opening, but my great grandpa, who originally opened the bakery, is no longer with us, and his son (my grandpa) is long since retired. He's not a big internet guy, but I will definitely tell him to check out this blog!

I found this site while trying to search for the Davis Bakery icing recipe (a vivid childhood memory).  Mr. Davis, I am not sure if you ever check the comments posted, but I'd like to suggest you write a book. The Davis Baking Company was open so long and during a time of great change... not only could it chronicle the business itself, but it could be used to tell the story of Durham, the south, and small American family business (and include recipes of course).  I'd love to write it for you.

Davis Fan from MD Thank you so much for the post about NONA'S BAKERY IN CREEDMOOR, NC. I am from Durham and long since moved away... I am seriously thinking about driving down from Maryland this weekend just to get some of the angel food squares. Maybe I should call and reserve a couple of dozen, one for the drive back and one to freeze a few from for hard days when I drink just will not do. To the Davis family, I want to say thank you for giving me some of the happiest memories from my childhood (OK adulthood too). Now there is Nona's to taste test! =D

I grew up on Elmwood Ave, around the corner from the bakery, and my grandfather took me there for a gingerbread man every day after school in the mid 60s.  I have very fond memories of the place.  I remember the wonderful smells coming out of the back doors, waiting impatiently by the glass cases and being served by an older woman with bright red hair.  One of my high school friends worked there in the 70s.  And all the paintings on side of the building were a part of my childhood.  Thanks to all for the photos and memories.

A lot of people have already commented about the Davis Bakery's donuts, but if you have any other memories or details about their donuts to share I'm doing a project on donuts and I would love to hear them.

If we were good in church, our mom would drive by Davis Bakery to let us pick something out. I particularly loved the Longjohns but remember the jelly donuts and were there lemon squares, too? Now I live in NY, but visit Durham frequently. Loved the smell of Davis Bakery and can conjure it up in my mind right now! Great to see these pictures!