In 1956, 27th Street Bakery opened its doors to the South Central community, growing to become a name known all over Los Angeles. Today, the bakery — renowned for their sweet potato pies — is in the hands of third-generation co-owner Jeanette Bolden.
“Our motto is basically ‘We put the ‘home’ back in ‘homemade,’’” Bolden said.
Bolden, an Olympic gold medalist, runs the iconic bakery alongside her sister, Denise Paschal, and husband, Al Pickens. Bolden’s grandparents founded the establishment in the 1930s, then operating it as a restaurant rather than a bakery. In 1980, Bolden’s mother and brother took over ownership before they eventually passed the torch themselves. Now, Bolden and Paschal work to keep their family legacy alive.
“I want the bakery to be around,” Bolden said. “I want it to be a legacy that continues.”