There are long johns and then there are Quiram’s long johns. This is what most customers of Quiram’s Bakery in New Richland’s bakery will tell you.

“It’s one of the only places that you can get a cream filled long john that’s really tasty,” Dale Stensrud, of Freeborn, a long time customer, said.

Since 1969 Elmer and Marilyn Quiram have been serving up breads, doughnuts, rolls, deli foods and, of course, the cream filled sweets.

“Our customers really like our maple frosting covered long johns with peanuts on top,” Marilyn said. “But they also come for the peanut butter cookies and the mocha cakes.”

In 34 years they have built up a reputation. People from Owatonna, Albert Lea, Waseca, Hayward, Clarks Grove and further make the drive to come get a treat.

“I remember going there with my dad as an 8-year-old,” said the 36 year old Stensrud. “We couldn’t go through New Richland without stopping for a long john. In high school three or four of us would run to New Richland to get rolls before we went to class.”

Schools in the area buy their bread from Quiram’s. Many grocery stores carry it.

But the baking may stop soon. The building, and business, is for sale.

For the past 6 years, Elmer has said he was ready to sell the bakery, but it wasn’t until this year that Marilyn finally agreed.

“I’ve been dragging my feet for the last few years,” Marilyn said. “Now I’m finally agreeing with him.”

She says that they have always planned on retiring in good health. They also want to spend more time with their grandchildren and “enjoy (themselves).”

Being in business for 34 years, Quiram’s Bakery has become an anchor in the New Richland community.

“We are part of so many occasions,” Marilyn said. “We’ve prepared foods and cakes for baptisms, confirmations, graduations and weddings of one generation. Now were starting on the next.”

The small yellow “Quiram’s” sign attached high to the front facade of the brick building on the middle of Broadway Ave. serves as a beacon on the avenue.

Customers aren’t happy that that sign could be gone soon.

“They don’t like it,” Marilyn said. “They wish we’d stay.”

The customers are holding on to the hope that the recipe for the cream-filled bounty will be passed on.

“Whoever buys the place has to get the recipe from them,” Stensrud said.