For over 93 years, Almira’s Pastry and Wedding cake shop has been creating a unique array of baked goods, pastries, and cakes for all occasions, which are untouched by any other bakery.  This family business was started by Ernest Karner, who had graduated from baking school in Pinkafeld, Austria in 1905.  Karner’s bakery originally opened in 1915 with two locations; one on Hohman Avenue and the other on Sibley Boulevard.  As Ernest’s business continued to grow he taught his son, Herbert Karner, the art of baking.

In 1948 Herbert opened his own bakery,  Almira’s Pastry and Wedding cake shop, on State Street and Calumet Avenue.  Like his father, Herbert continued the baking tradition of his family by introducing his children, Almira, Norman, and Ron, to the art of baking.  In 1955 Herbert retired, his children continued to operate and expand his business.  By 1960 Almira’s had expanded its operation to four locations.  Later in the 60’s they developed a working relationship with Nick Van Til and opened an additional location inside of Van Til’s Supermarket in Hammond.

In the early 90’s Almira’s choose to reduce the size of their operation to the one location inside Van Til’s supermarket in Hammond. Almira’s continued to operate at this location until Almira, Norman, and Ron retired on March 5th, 2001.  At this time Van Til’s Supermarket acquired Almira’s and all its traditional scratch recipes.  Van Til’s has continued the Almira’s tradition of providing quality baked goods using all of Almira’s traditional recipes.  While under Van Til’s control Almira’s has been voted by The Time’s Readers as the best bakery in Lake County for five consecutive years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.

Almira’s is currently located inside of Van Til’s Supermarket at 2635 169th Street, Hammond, Indiana and Strack and Van Til Supermarket located at 1836 Calumet Avenue, Whiting, Indiana 46394.