Holtermann's Bakery Was Packed After Goldberg Disses Them

It looks like Whoopi Goldberg's attempt to discredit and malign a historic bakery on Staten Island didn't work. Worse, it backfired tremendously.

Goldberg initially claimed that the bakery wouldn’t fill a dessert request that she’d made because the business didn’t like her politics. This was debunked by the owner, Holtermann’s, who said that a major maintenance issue at the business had prevented it from filling any large orders.

Now, people from across Staten Island and way beyond have stepped up to show support for Holtermann’s, and, they said, to send a message of disapproval to Goldberg.

The comedienne, actress and host of the talk show "The View" sparked controversy on the show last 13 November when she showcased a large tray of what Goldberg called her mother’s favorite dessert. It’s called Charlotte Russe. It’s a small, individual piece of cake with raspberry curd, wrapped in decorative paper, and topped with whipped cream with a maraschino cherry on top.

"The place that made these refused to make them for me," Goldberg said during a segment. "[My] folks went and got them anyway," Goldberg continued, "which is why I’m not telling you who made them," she said. "Perhaps they did not like my politics."

She said during the segment that a large order for the treats had been placed in her name but was turned down. Even though Goldberg didn’t name the bakery, its unique packaging identified the source as Holtermann’s, and word about Goldberg’s displeasure quickly spread.

By 15 November, there was a long line outside of the bakery on Arthur Kill Road well before it opened at 7:30 A.M. Long lines remained throughout the day until closing time at 6:00 P.M.

The business almost completely sold out of its stock. Its staff baked non-stop, all day.

Holtermann’s has been baking on Staten Island for 146 years. Its many devoted customers call it an institution.

"I’ll be 82 in January," said Penny Clark, who'd come to buy coffee cake. "As a little girl," she continued, "my birthday cakes came from here, holiday cakes came from here. I’ve never stepped away."

Thomas and Elizabeth Barnes are also regular customers, but they’d never tried the Charlotte Russe "until now," Elizabeth said.

"The bakery didn’t do anything wrong," her husband Thomas added, "and we’re here to support them. If it helps them get some extra business, then good for them."

Bakery owner Jill Holtermann Bowers said that when Goldberg’s order came in early this month, the bakery’s boiler was being replaced. As a result, said the owner, she couldn’t promise to fill any big orders.

"The boiler was from like there to there," said Holtermann Bowers, pointing to two theoretical points about 12 feet apart. "It took five guys to cut it up, remove it, and then you have to change all the piping."