Schwartz’s offers all the same baked goods that San Francisco Street Bakery does, including fresh bread and bagels. Next to the pastry case, a variety of pies and cakes can be bought either whole or by the slice, and are displayed next to eclairs, quiches and a rotating selection of confections such as rum balls and fruit tarts. Some of the most popular treats include cream cheese danishes topped with marionberries, blueberries or spiced apple, and a variety of croissants including almond, raspberry, orange marmalade, chocolate and plain. Around the corner from the espresso machine, a variety of danishes, scones, turnovers and cookies are displayed. Walking into Schwartz’s, the first thing you see is a menu highlighting different espresso drinks that can be made using organic Batdorf & Bronson coffee. Filled with natural light and artwork, Schwartz’s creates a perfect atmosphere to study, catch up with friends, or just hang out. The era of Otto’s took place during Carmen and Nolan’s childhood, and Gene and Judi wanted Carmen and Jeremy’s children to also experience a family bakery with their last name. Gene and Judi, the owners, have mostly passed on the management of the business to the next generation, Carmen and Nolan Otto and Carmen’s husband, Jeremy Schwartz.

The name of San Francisco Street Bakery’s new venue came from the son-in-law of the owners, Jeremy Schwartz. Now, Schwartz’s is located in an adjacent area in the same building, which is also where Cafe Vita was located prior to closing their doors. When Otto’s was sold many years ago and subsequently went out of business, downtown Olympia was left without a go-to for fresh bagels and baked goods. During its glory days, Otto’s operated out of the cobalt blue building on the corner of 4th and Washington, using the part of the building that is currently The Society Bar & Nightclub to serve baked goods, breakfast and coffee.

Long-time Olympia residents may remember Otto’s, a previous establishment owned by Gene and Judi Otto of San Francisco Street Bakery. Schwartz’s is an extension of San Francisco Street Bakery, which has been a staple of Olympia’s Eastside neighborhood for the past 30 years. The baked goods and menu might look familiar to many, with good reason. Schwartz’s opened its doors in June 2019, selling bagels, coffee and espresso, pastries, and breads to downtown Olympia.

Schwartz bakery