Peggy’s Bakery opened at 6258 5th Ave NW in the 1930s after Safeway moved across the street into the building once occupied by West Woodland Pharmacy. The pharmacy moved just a short walk up the street, to 618 NW 65th Street.
The owner of Peggy’s Bakery was Karl Fickeisen and he named the bakery in honor of his wife Peggy. Vern Vellat, former neighbor and West Woodland School Alumni class of 1941, told me that the aroma coming from Peggy’s was “heavenly”, more than any other bakery he has ever known. Vern’s classmate, Marilyn Sherman, grew up in the house just south of Peggy’s Bakery and would often remark that “heaven couldn’t smell better” than Peggy’s Bakery.
Peggy’s Bakery drew customers from all over NW Seattle. Many would pass by their local bakery to pick up their bread, cakes and other treats at Peggy’s. In 1959 Bill Fickeisen, son of Karl and Peggy, closed Peggy’s Bakery because he was hired by Safeway Corporation to help create the in-store bakeries that we see today.
This building is now home to Seattle Floor Service. Check out the barber’s pole on the left side of the picture. This location is now home to the soon-to-open “The Partakery”, Ballard’s newest recreational marijuana shop. (Author’s Note: The Partakery opened on 04/17/2016. The delay was caused by city permit issues.)
The black and white photo of Peggy’s Bakery is dated 1937, and comes to us courtesy of the Puget Sound Archives.
Vintage West Woodland - Seattle 