Hans Rosentrater lives his dream with new bakery in Medina

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Hans Rosentrater puts a tray of freshly baked cinnamon rolls in the case as his husband Dan looks on. The couple recently purchased the former Case-Nic Cookies at 439 Main St. in Medina and opened Hans’ Bakery. (Right) Hans Rosentrater holds a basket of French bread in the new bakery he recently opened in Medina.

MEDINA – Going to work every morning is like a dream come true for Hans Rosentrater, who recently realized his lifelong goal of owning a bakery.

Rosentrater grew up in Medina, where he said his mom loved to bake and he and his sister were always in the kitchen with her.

His dream of owning his own bakery took several detours during the years, beginning with his food service classes at BOCES.

“That was a phenomenal thing, and anyone who has an opportunity to go to BOCES should do so,” he said.

He next attended Alfred State College where he earned an associate’s degree in baking, production and management and a second associate’s degree in the culinary arts program.

“When I was at BOCES I quickly identified I liked to cook, but I really loved baking,” Rosentrater said. “Nobody in our class focused on baking, so when they had competitions I always won.”

Out of college, Rosentrater baked special cakes for family and friends, while working at different jobs to pay the bills. He worked at a bank, in the hospitality industry and for a florist for 10 years.

Hans and his husband Dan were married when the owner of a former coffee shop on East Center Street decided to close.

“Dan wanted to make sure Medina had a coffee shop, and in 2022, we opened the Coffee Pot Cafe,” Hans said. “With my background in baking, we knew we could furnish pastries and baked goods for a café. Dan handled the front and I had the kitchen.”

The business was an immediate success. People were placing orders, customers lined up out the door and walk-in business was thriving.

They soon realized the kitchen was not big enough and Dan set out to enlarge and remodel it.

“It had always been in the back of my mind to have my own bakery,” Hans said. “Then we learned Mary Lou Tuohey was retiring and her building would be available for purchase. We jumped on it.”

Leaving Dan to run the Coffee Pot Café, Hans’ Bakery opened on Valentine’s Day. Since then, on many Saturdays, customers have been lined up out the door.

One customer this week said the smell brought him in.

Hans has kept some of Tuohey’s cookie recipes, while adding his own for homemade breads, giant cinnamon rolls, puff pastry turnovers, tarts, Danishes, muffins, croissants and even bread pudding.

Corky’s Bakery used to sell a variety of things, but that closed in 2005.

“It has been 20 years since Medina had a full service bakery,” Hans said.

He is working to finalize a menu and hopes to have it ready in the near future.

The bakery is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Orders may be placed ahead by calling (585) 798-1617.