That’s right! When Byron Heinemann started a small candy shop on Milwaukee Street in 1923 his first promise to himself and his customers was that he would always serve the finest, highest quality, hand made candies. With the help of his wife Dorothy, their candy became legendary and was continually sought after by Milwaukeeans and other Midwesterners.

As times changed, so did Heinemann’s. We evolved into bakeries and restaurants and a new generation came in to help. But throughout every change, every new generation, one thing never changes - our promise to give you, our customer, the finest quality product possible.

Today we have eight restaurants, a central commissary for our natural, home-made baking and cooking, and our fourth generation serving tables. Our commitment to quality is as strong as ever. Our mission is to delight our customers and we do this in the way we brew our special blend coffee, wash your dishes, grind wheat for out breads, remember your name, accommodate your special requests and celebrate with you, life’s great moments.

From our family to yours, we thank you for being a part of our past and the key to our future. We are privileged to serve you and we promise, every day, to continue this great tradition.

Sincerely,
Peggy S. Burns
CEO







    • Chronology •

1923: Founded by Dorothy & Byron Heinemann

1947: Ed Levi joins Heinemann’s. He is the nephew of Dorothy and Byron.

1949: Tom Burns joins Heinemann’s. He is the son-in-law of Dorothy and Byron. He married Betty Heinemann.

1949: Ed Levi and Tom Burns are both Vice Presidents.

1950: Whitefish Bay Heinemann’s opens immediately adjacent to the theatre.

1952: North Ave & 89th St. store opens. Same format as the Whitefish Bay store-Bakery Department, Candy Department and Restaurant.

1953: Candy store at 308 W. Wisconsin Ave. opens. Does poorly, but becomes successful when changed to primarily a bakery store.

1956: Bakery opened at W. Wisconsin Ave. leading bakery sales in Wisconsin. Capital Court store opened with a three department store; Bakery, Candy and an eighty seat Restaurant.

1958: New building proposed at 4010 W. Douglas, used as a production center for rapidly expanding bakery business.

1959: North Ave. & 47th St. restaurant opened.

1960: Restaurant opens on the fourth floor of the M&I Bank Building at 721 Water St. It operates for the next 12 years.

1961: Heinemann’s took over the bakeries for 10 Red Owl stores besides operating it’s own outlets. Bakery store opened at Brown Port.

1962: Candy Wagons introduced to retail stores. 820 wagons were used at one point, located strategically in aisles of supermarkets in a 10 state area. Byron Heinemann dies. Tom Burns becomes President, Ed Levi becomes Vice President.

1965: Sold off bakery division. (28 outlets; stores and departments)

1967: Candy Wagons discontinued. 7th and Wisconsin Ave. restaurant opened on the day in July when race riots broke out in Milwaukee. It was a 150 seat restaurant plus a second operation on the 15th floor to service government employees within the building.

1968: 76th and Bluemound restaurant opened with Candy, Bakery and Restaurant departments.

1972: John Burns, son of Tom Burns and Betty Heinemann Burns, joins Heinemann’s after graduating from Cornell.

1973: New First Wisconsin building opens. Heinemann’s and Lickety Split (our version of fast food) opens.

1974: John Burns becomes Vice-President

1975: John Byron’s restaurant opens in the First Wisconsin Center. Commissary opens on Locust St.

1978: Tom Burns becomes Chairman of the Board, Ed Levi becomes President.

1979: Tim Scherer joins Heinemann’s as Commissary Manager

1980: Wisconsin Ave. Bridge store closes. (1935-1980)

1985: Plaza opens. (original Heinemann’s...Too)

1986: Audubon Court Restaurant opens.

1988: Tim Scherer Becomes Multi-Unit Supervisor.

1989: John Burns becomes President.

1990: Tim Scherer becomes Vice-president Peggy Burns becomes a Board Member.

1991: National Ave. Restaurant opens.

1992: 7th and Wisconsin Ave. store closes. John Byron’s closes. Mayfair Restaurant opens.

1993: Milwaukee St. Restaurant and Candy Factory close.

1994: Brookfield Restaurant opens. Heinemann’s...Too (Plaza East) is closed.

1996: Firstar Heinemann’s and Lickety Split close. Tim Scherer becomes President. Peggy Burns Becomes Chairman of the Board.

1997: National Ave. Restaurant closes. Heinemann’s...Too opens in January in the 411 Building, 411 East Wisconsin Ave. Heinemann’s...Too opens in Madison in December, Firstar Building. Peggy Burns becomes CEO.

2000: Dennis Getto (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal restaurant critic) rated Heinemann's First Runner Up for the Best Breakfast.
READ STORY

2000: Heinemann's Cookbook helps Second Harvest feed the hungry!
READ STORY

2002: Meggy Burns goes into management,
as the fourth generation at Heinemann's.

2003: Heinemann's Greendale opens in Historic Greendale.

2004: Heinemann's Grafton opens.

2006: Jim Grafwallner was named Vice-President. Jim started at Heinemann's as a busboy.