The Rochester Collection

Since its founding in 1998 by Gerald Matthes, Give Thanks Bakery has been a cornerstone of the Rochester, MI community, offering authentic European-style baked goods crafted with traditional techniques. In January 2021, the beloved establishment found new caretakers in Katy and Dietrich Knoer, who purchased the bakery after being longtime friends of the Matthes family and devoted customers. This transition marked a continuation of the rich traditions that had made Give Thanks a local institution for over two decades.

The Knoers have embraced the bakery’s legacy while infusing it with their own German-American heritage and passion for quality baking. Their stewardship is guided by core values of Faith, Love, Giving, and Service—principles that were foundational to the bakery’s original mission.

These values are evident in every loaf, pastry, and sweet treat that emerges from their ovens. Under their leadership, Give Thanks continues to thrive as a place where craftsmanship meets community connection, ensuring that the tradition of exceptional artisanal baking lives on in Rochester.

Give Thanks Bakery offers an impressive array of European-style artisan breads that showcase the bakery’s commitment to traditional techniques. Their French Levain delivers the light tang of sourdough with a crispy crust and airy crumb, while the Swiss Multigrain provides a hearty, nutritious option packed with corn, buckwheat, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and flax seeds.

The Kalamata Olive + Rosemary loaf, available on Saturdays, offers a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile perfect for dinner accompaniment. Each bread is baked fresh daily using time-honored methods, including various starters, hand-shaping, and attentive baking processes that require both skill and patience.

Beyond their impressive bread selection, Give Thanks excels in creating exquisite pastries that transport customers straight to a European patisserie. Their handcrafted croissants come in numerous variations from classic butter to almond, chocolate, and savory options like ham and cheese or spinach and feta.

Morning offerings include scones in flavors like Cranberry Walnut and Cherry Chocolate Almond, fruit Danish, cinnamon rolls, and escargot pastries. For those with dietary restrictions, the bakery thoughtfully provides gluten-free options, including Healthy Seed Loaf, Earthquake Cookies, and Chocolate Chip Muffins, though they openly acknowledge they’re not a certified gluten-free facility.

At its core, Give Thanks Bakery is more than just a place to purchase exceptional baked goods—it’s a community cornerstone dedicated to bringing joy and well-being to Rochester residents. The bakery’s commitment to wholesome, nutritious offerings made from scratch using traditional methods resonates with customers who value quality and craftsmanship. Their talented team of bakers reflects the establishment’s core values, bringing expertise and dedication to creating each loaf, pastry, and torte that leaves their kitchen.

The impact of Give Thanks extends beyond mere sustenance to creating moments of delight and connection. Their European-style tortes—including Authentic Black Forest, Bavarian Lemon, and Mozart—provide elegant centerpieces for celebrations, while their daily bread offerings become part of family meals and traditions.

By maintaining high standards of quality while remaining accessible and welcoming, Give Thanks has earned its place as a beloved institution that nurtures both the appetites and spirits of the Rochester community, one beautiful baked good at a time.