Napa Valley’s Long-Lasting Bakery & Diner
How do you create a Napa landmark and icon? Long hours and years of hard work. Butter Cream Bakery was born in 1948, when David and Bobbi Closs acquired a small donut shop on Yajome St. Word of their donuts spread quickly and before long, people were asking for pies, breads and more. Dave baked a wedding cake for a friend’s daughter and suddenly they were in the cake business. Soon a grill was purchased and breakfast was served. Eventually bakers and waitresses joined the staff, but the Closs’ continued their commitment to the bakery, one that started at 12:00am seven days a week. It was a family operated business and they were driven to keep it that way.
In 2001 David and Bobbi, and their son Gerry Closs, restored the Jefferson Street building from top to bottom. Butter Cream’s trademark pink and white stripes were repainted, the decor was freshened up to recapture a retro look and the equipment was fully rebuilt. The second-generation Closs family opened its newly renovated doors in February 2002. Although the traditional recipes are still used and the signature items still line the shelves, new items continue to be introduced.
David and Bobbi Closs spent a lifetime of working together to produce donuts, pastries, cookies and breads. From nothing they built a business that brought them much success, happiness and meaning. That legacy continues within the family today.
Our History
1945-1951:
The Beginning



April 1953:
A New Addition to the Family
1958:
The Crash



1960:
Cakes for charity
Gerry Closs and Helen Wisnoskie raise money for the Crippled Children’s Fund Campaign.
1964:
The 1964 Remodel


June 1964:
15th Year Anniversary
The community shows their thanks to Butter Cream on its 15th year in the valley.
1965:
Vietnam War Care Packages
Butter Cream donates 140 packages of cookies to Vietnam Soldiers.


October 1, 1969
David Closs is Napa’s featured Mystery Man
May 1971:
Running Smoothly


1972
The Bread Strike
1973:
The Grandkids at the shop



August 2001
A look back on our story
October 2001
Saying Goodbye (for now)




February 2002
The Return
2004 – 2007
A new Century


