Award-winning McCook bakery closing its doors

MCCOOK, Neb. (KSNB) - A bakery in downtown McCook is closing its doors after 68 years.

Embers Bakery and Café announced on Facebook Sunday night that Saturday was their final day of operation. The news has sparked mixed emotions online, with many McCook residents expressing disappointment about losing a beloved downtown landmark.

The closure comes as a surprise to some loyal customers, as the owners had recently shared plans to open a new location in Kearney later this year.

The business first opened in 1957 as Sehnert’s Bakery and quickly became a community favorite. Over the decades, the bakery evolved and even operated a pizza venture for a time under the name Sehnert’s Bakery and Tied House Pizza.

In 2019, Sehnert’s received national recognition as a James Beard America’s Classic Award winner, the first Nebraska business to ever receive the honor, according to the Omaha World-Herald. The bakery was also a recurring stop on the Nebraska Passport program.

Andrew and Alix Ambriz purchased the bakery from Matt and Shelly Sehnert in August 2021. Three years later, they rebranded the business as Embers Bakery and Café and added a drive-thru location in May of this year.

In their Facebook post, the owners thanked the community, writing in part:

“With deep sadness, we’re here to share that Saturday was Embers Bakery’s final day… We are deeply grateful for everyone who supported us… We will always cherish the memories we’ve made with all of you and hope you’ll do the same.”

There is no word yet on what will happen to the building or the previously announced plans for a Kearney location.

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