Lyndora Bakery gives way to Tanner’s Bakehouse
The Lyndora Bakery is officially under new ownership.
On Thursday, Dec. 14, Tanner Matko was handed the keys to the old bakery on Chesapeake Street in Lyndora. The property had been up for sale since August, after former owners Debbie and George Bristen decided to close.
Matko plans to reopen the bakery as “Tanner’s Bakehouse.” The expected opening for the new bakery is in March.
The sale was first announced over social media by Realtor Chuck Swidzinski, who represented the original owners of the Lyndora Bakery in their attempt to sell the property.
“We wish Tanner’s Bakehouse all the success in their new venture,” Swidzinski wrote.
Matko, who currently works at Bloom Cafe in Valencia, said he’s always dreamed of opening a bakery. A 2022 graduate of Penn State University, he recently moved into the Highfield section of Butler, and got a chance to sample the bakery just before it closed.
When he noticed the bakery was up for sale, he couldn’t resist the opportunity.
“When I saw that it was for sale, I just had a feeling that it was almost meant to be, because it was so close to the house that I bought and I just liked their story and everything,” Matko said.
As part of the sale, the Bristens turned over their original recipes to Matko so he can serve the same bakery goods the Lyndora Bakery once did, just as the Lyndora Bakery customers remember them.
“I'm going to continue to do all their recipes, that the community really enjoys and loves,” Matko said. “I'm going to plan to sell mostly stuff that they sold.”
Matko will continue to work for Bloom Cafe in a part-time capacity while he settles into his new role as the owner of Tanner’s Bakehouse.
No changes have been made to the property yet by the new owners. However, as of Friday, Dec. 15, the old “Lyndora National Baking Company” sign has been removed from the front of the building.
“We’re going to maybe change the layout a little bit and then do some painting on the inside,” Matko said. “We’re mainly waiting for the health department to get all the inspections up and running.”
The Bristens decided to close the bakery after their appearance at this year’s Butler Farm Show. In an announcement over the bakery’s Facebook page, they cited Deb’s health problems and an upcoming neurosurgery.
“I know it was due to health reasons,” Matko said. “They were both getting older and it was just time for them to retire.”
