Houlton Bakery

My sweet husband ordered me a birthday cake from here. He ordered it the week before my birthday. On the day of my birthday he went to pick it up (trip 1). He was told it wasn’t made. The owner told him she was sick over the weekend and things were a «mess». They normally post what is needed on the fridge, but evidently they didn’t look. She told him to come back at noon and it would be ready. He showed up closer to 1:00 and was told it still wasn’t ready. She said she would call when it was ready. She finally called and he went (trip 3) to get it. He complained about how things were done and her remedy was to give him 2 cookies and 2 coupons for coffee. I was very upset. He had prepaid for the cake so he could not just walk away from it. We can just chalk it up to experience. WE WILL NOT BE DOING ANYMORE BUSINESS WITH THEM. I think they should have given him some money back if not all of it. Very poor way to do business. We used to be a small business owner and would not have treated our customers so poorly. Live and learn.

Great food, fresh ingredients, healthy selections. The desserts are excellent!

I’m new to the area and was in search of a bakery. I was so excited to see there was one so close to my house. However, when I got there I was so disappointed. There was nothing to choose from, there weren’t any cupcakes or pastries to purchase. There was one slice of a carrot cake and one pumpkin cake you can buy. The lady behind the counter told me I would have to call ahead to see if they have any cupcakes to buy. I was bummed out, it was my birthday and I wanted a cupcake but I guess I had to call in and order it ahead.

Four stars for a small shop, and necessary limited menu. Had an excellent pot pie, and a sticky bun that bests Cinnabon. Very nice food. Recommended!

Early morning breakfast was still frozen in the middle of a sad looking sausage patty on a biscuit. Their actual sweets are good, but they should stick to that instead of offering something toward the bottom of the food pyramid. It simply doesn’t work out.

Have good cupcakes.

WOW! Yet another hidden gem in St. Helens. Stopped by hoping they would be able to made a coconut cake for my sisters bday… well…not only did I get an affirmative YES… but she added raspberry filling and the most amazing frosting tinted a blush pink by the raspberries! AND fragrant and delish! By far the best cupcakes we’ve ever had! Their premade sandwiches and salads looked amazing too. I did spy a family staple… pea salad! Houltons done with a twist… radishes, red onion and blue cheese! It also was fantastic!!! We are looking forward to their picnics for 13 Nights On The River…

Best bakery & food in Columbia county!!! Their food is unique and tastes delicious! The staff is friendly, the prices are reasonable, and the seating area quaint. Wouldn’t think of going anywhere else in town!

New management! The new owner is here every day and obviously takes pride in her business. The service is extremely warm and inviting, and most important, prompt. The chalkboard menu is always up to date and the seating/​counter area has been reworked to give the space more functionality. Food was delicious and very reasonably priced. Vegetarian option was the cherry on top for me! Will be back again and again!

I really wanted to like this bakery but after my visit today I was disappointed. I met a friend here today for a breakfast snack. I got the cinnamon roll with an iced americano. My friend got the strawberry lemonade and a muffin.
The cinnamon roll tasted a bit stale and something was a little off about it, not very sweet. My iced americano was ok, but for the price I thought I’d get more, $ 2.00 for a shot of espresso over ice? Sheesh.
I was told this place has new owners and isn’t what it used to be. Bummer.

Bakery is open again, under a new owner and with a new cook! And while it’s not what it used to be – Joe, Gainer, you guys were awesome – it’s still a great place to snack and gather.
It’s a mile from my home, so I love running there, eating and running home (you gotta deal with the calories some way, right?). Their fresh baked (everything) hot dogs with kraut and short bread cookies are amazing. And the iced tea refills, they keep ‘em coming.

I have known the owners, Gaynor and Joe, for quite some time both in the bakery and out. They have always been some of the nicest people, and even if their bakery was «just okay» I would still frequent it just because they were there.
BUT luckily, their product is as stellar as they are.
Even from the beginning they have always strive to offer the best possible items available and always try to support local suppliers in their choices.
The bread is always amazing, the sandwiches delicious and the treats lush. I make a beeline for the chantrelle topped deep dish pizza, absolutely amazing!

I am so going to miss this place.
That is all.

I ordered my wedding cake from Houlton Bakery. At the beginning, I didn’t expect to much, it’s convenient so I didn’t have to drive to Portland.
What I got, it was a real surprise. My cake was very beautiful and it was delicious as well. Thanks to Annie, she is one of the counter girl. She suggested to have vanilla sponge with lemon custard, it was the bomb! even my husband love it!
Don’t underestimated local small business in St. Helens!!! Cus they are professionals! Two thumbs up for Houlton Bakery, thank you for making my wedding cake so gorgeous!

Aug 2013 update: Though current owners not quite as gifted as Gaynor, they’re making a decent show. Still like the goodies, sandwiches, and atmosphere.
²⁰¹¹⁄₂₀₁₂: Just simply the best bakery in Columbia County. The best staff, the warmest owners, comfort food and comfort seating in their little sunlit café. Deli sandwiches for lunch as well – just two, rotated daily. Highly recommend.

I am biased because I used to work there– but I am a customer now– so fair game. I LOVE it. The food is so good– the hummus, the dressings, the sweets, the soups, the salads, the homemade croutons. The owner, Gainor Riker, puts so much hard work into her bakery and it shows. The bread is fantastic– buying it anywhere else is now a major disappointment. I drive to Saint Helens for the sole purpose of a bakery visit. I love that place– and her prices are very fair considering the high quality. No crappy Krispy Kreme donuts here! She puts thought into who she gets her produce from, her meat, and even the paper supplies are often sustainable. Try it, love it… and repeat often.

Houlton is such a fun place. It’s not a junk food bakery, but instead a place to go for fantastic soups, sandwiches, salads, breads and desserts.
A few months ago we stopped in for lunch and got sandwiches — roast pork loin with caramelized apples on one, corned beef and braised red cabbage for the other. I still can’t decide which one was the the best sandwich I have ever had. Their salads are always fresh, they have a great hummus and vegetable tray.
The only problem I have is that I can’t leave without dessert, and it’s always hard to decide what to have so I leave with two or three things. How does one choose between such delights?!

I love this place. I miss it so much because I live in San Diego now, but I used to come by here almost every day and get one of their super fresh, super tasty, salads, soups, sandwiches, breads, desserts, etc. And every Friday I would get a loaf of Challah bread and take it home with me because that’s Friday’s bread of the day. Yumm! Great to make French toast with too. Normally I’m not the biggest fan of fancy schmancy sandwiches, but this place got it right! They never disappoint me. They will make an aioli out of something like blue cheese and horseradish (totally guessing here) and spread it on a roast beef sandwich and it’s like this popping flavor in your mouth — every bite! Every sandwich is so special. Like they make them with love… okay, now I’m sounding sappy, ha ha. But seriously, every day, they have something different. It’s kind of fun but if you don’t like being surprised, you can get on their e-​mail list and they will tell you in advance what they are making that day. That way you can decide to go to lunch there that day or not. This bakery is a real gem in this town. Nothing else quite like it. Great for lunches and there is even some outside seating — great for Summertime. They also have espresso and I think they’re closed on Mondays so don’t go then, and they might be closed Sundays too, but call or check their website.