By Christian Rogers
Staff Writer
Stretching a span of roughly 300 miles, the world-famous Schat’s Bakery chain is now a part of the South Bay.
After much success in Mammoth Lakes, Carson City, Ukiah and Bishop, the Schat family extended its reach to Southern California with the opening of a bakery in El Segundo.
The Schat family baking tradition dates back to the late 1800s. Originally from Holland, the Schats established themselves in Ukiah, California, right off the 395 freeway, in what they called Erick Schat’s Bakery.
“Whenever I go up to visit Mammoth, I always take the route that leads right to Schat’s,” senior Erin Murphy said. “I am addicted to all of their delicious sandwiches.”
An additional bakery has been added to the family baking culture, as El Segundo now features its very own Schat’s Bakery.
Unlike Schat’s in Bishop, the one in El Segundo was founded by his cousin, David Schat, who has been visiting the South Bay since high school.
Schat’s Bakery is famous for its vast deli selection and wide variety of baked goods. One of the most famous items is the Sheepherder’s bread, which was brought to California by the Schat family in 1938.
“Their sheepherder’s bread and their warm cinnamon rolls are my favorite items on the menu,” freshman Jackson Snyder said. “Their lunch foods are delicious too, so I always order one of their selections of sandwiches.”
Along with a variety of baked goods, the bakery advertises reasonable prices. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week.
“When I get off of work, I head right over to Schat’s to get in line,” Ukiah resident Sheryl Hansen said. “It is so popular in Ukiah; everyone loves its great pastries, coffee, sandwiches for inexpensive prices and the free WiFi indoors. You could almost say it is the attraction of the downtown”
Schat’s bakery is spacious and modern and has a very cozy and homey atmosphere. It incorporates European stylistic features from Holland.
“It has a small-town feel to it and a Dutch-themed décor,” Costa senior Riley O’Connell said. “It’s always crowded and the line is always out the door.”
Many people in the South Bay are looking forward to taking advantage of this new addition to the Schat’s chain.
Schat’s Bakery is located on 131A W. Grand Ave. in El Segundo. Its proximity to L.A. residents makes Schat’s now more accessible than ever, now that residents don’t have to drive all the way to Mammoth or Bishop.
“The philosophy of Schat’s Bakeries is simple: give the people a consistant, quality product while offering superb service,” the Schats family said.
