Nordmann’s Nook: The Big Legacy of a small-town Destination Bakery

BY: INPUT

When David Jimenez retired from the Army National Guard in 2017, he never imagined himself as a business owner or a baker. Now he’s the owner and main baker at Nordmann’s Nook, serving up items like cookies, pies, and cinnamon rolls. The made-in-house treats are served in a cozy shop on the main street of North Manchester, accompanied by rustic furniture and other handmade artisanal keepsakes on consignment by local community members.

He has his daughter, Karissa, to thank for planting that seed that would eventually sprout into his current career. While she completed a high school internship at Nordmann’s Nook, David would stop in several times a week, forming a relationship with then-owners David and Louise Nordmann and often joking with them about starting a franchise. When Nordmann’s Founders David and Louise Nordmann decided they were ready to retire after operating the beloved local bakery for almost twenty years, David and his wife, Colleena, took over the business.
Agreeing to run the bakery was a leap of faith for the Jimenez family. At the time, baking was not a skill set David had, although he felt comfortable with the furniture side of the business.

“I didn’t know how to bake, but I certainly knew how to read a recipe,” he says.

The Nordmann’s agreed to stick around for a year to show him the ropes and answer any questions, but after a couple of months, it felt like a natural transition for the new owners.

“He went from not knowing how to boil water, to knowing how to bake and run everything in the bakery,” Colleena recalls.

As long-time North Manchester residents, David and Colleena knew it was a big task to take over a business with 19 years of history, but David says they knew from the beginning they wouldn’t be changing the name, the footprint, or the recipes of the business.

“You’ll see that we use the same boxes and same style and labeling to retain what the Nordmann’s created,” he says.

Today, they have four employees on staff to assist with the baking and front-of-house responsibilities. Karrissa also found a knack for baking and established her own business, The Baker’s Daughter, housed in Nordmann’s Nook, which focuses on specialty cakes.

On Mondays, when the store is typically closed, David and Karissa can still be found baking in preparation for the week ahead. The classic chocolate chip, snickerdoodles, and monster cookies are among the most ordered items from their menu. They also offer various types of cakes and cupcakes like banana nut cake and carrot cake with classic cream cheese frosting.

David says prep days can be a whole 12-hour shift depending on the season and upcoming events. For Thanksgiving, the Jimenez family preps an estimated 1,200 to 1,300 pies each year. Shortly after Thanksgiving, they’ll dive into cookie season, as cookies are the most requested item from December to January.

Colleena adds they have been known to be at the bakery for over 24 hours at a time during the busy holiday seasons.

“We are blessed to have a wonderful family that steps in wherever needed,” she says.

From their employees to their customers, it has been a community effort to continue the locally loved brand. David says it’s a humbling experience to have people who care to see the business succeed.

In addition to support from neighbors, local organizations have provided invaluable support to small businesses. David points to Manchester Alive: Main Street Chamber Alliance, which is focused on supporting small businesses in every stage of their growth, offering educational resources, retail space, and more. He says their support and connections are crucial for business owners like himself.

“They are really growing and have done a great job in supporting businesses from advertising to taking photos, plugging events, and publicity,” David explains.

In small towns, like North Manchester, local businesses are the heartbeat– bringing character, charm, and a sense of community. Heather Cruz, executive director of Manchester Alive: Main Street Chamber Alliance says Nordmann’s is a perfect example of this. Residents, university students, and out-of-towners alike come to the bakery to hang out, conduct meetings, or just enjoy a cup of coffee and a sweet treat.