350 Pearl Street. Started in 1901 by J. B. Franke as the Fort Wayne Biscuit Company. In early 1900s became Perfection Biscuit Company. In 1944 became a member of Quality Bakers of America (QBA) and began baking Sunbeam Bread April 26, 1942.
Known for their 1957 iconic rotating Sunbeam bread sign, their name changed in 2005 to Aunt Millies, see How It All Started on the Aunt Millies website.
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August 1, 2013 post by Aunt Millie's Bread on Facebook:
Aunt Millie's has been baking Sunbeam Bread since 1957. Today we received one of the nicest compliments ever, from Jeff Snow. Here is an excerpt:
I was in Kokomo July 12th and 13th for Indiana Sprintweek. We bought a loaf of Sunbeam Giant bread that was hands down the best loaf of bread we had ever eaten. I figured it was from Aunt Millie's and flipped it over and confirmed that thought. I’d swear it felt and tasted like it was fresh out of the oven...
You guys are doing something right when three guys watching sprint car races are talking about the quality of your bread!
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December 13, 2013 post by Aunt Millie's Bread on Facebook:
Aunt Millie's bakes Sunbeam bread. Last week we received this message from Ashley Marie Glock that really made our day:
Thank you so much for the Christmas packaging on the Sunbeam bread. Your courage has convinced me to always buy Aunt Millie's brand from now on! I posted this on my profile this morning after noticing it for the first time: (Sorry if this is a little lengthy, but I feel like it is worth it.) I had the most unexpected testimony this morning, and feel compelled to share it with anyone interested in reading it.
I was making breakfast, worrying about the typical offenders: bills, the pets' health, school, family problems, friends who are struggling with various things, etc. When I went to put the bread away, I noticed a picture on the front of the bag of a little girl praying. I'd never really looked at the bread bag before, so I found it odd. Was this a seasonal thing, or does Sunbeam always have that there? I looked closer, and saw that the picture included next to it two Bible verse numbers in the tiniest, faintest print: Matthew 4:4 and Deuteronomy 8:3. So of course I look them up, because I'm shocked that in a christian-bashing society like this someone is allowed to put religious text on their packaging. Both of the verses said the following: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
After reading that, I can't explain the sudden sense of peace and realization I felt. I was reminded that we don't rely on just "bread", or money, or material things, but on the words of God which include faith, hope, and love among many others. When I was least expecting it and really needed it, God reminded me in a subtle but amazing way that He will provide all things that we need in this life, and will give us peace and joy if we just remember what is truly important. And he did it just with a bag of bread. So if you are my friend or family and are struggling with anything big OR small, I love you with all of my heart. Try to remember that even if this world is throwing things at you one after another, God is there for you and will provide for you what you need. He loves you!
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Fort Wayne's favorite sign was installed on the roof in 1957 and the bread slices still turn today. The sign includes a motor that rotates nine bread slices, each taking 2.3 seconds to fall.
Posted by Aunt Millie's Bread on Tuesday, February 18, 2014Tuesday, February 18, 2014 post by Aunt Millie's Bread on Facebook:
Fort Wayne's favorite sign was installed on the roof in 1957 and the bread slices still turn today.
The sign includes a motor that rotates nine bread slices, each taking 2.3 seconds to fall.
— at Aunt Millie's.
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Sign repair in process yesterday. One of the bread slices was blown off in a high wind. The motor is being replaced in...
Posted by Aunt Millie's Bread on Tuesday, February 18, 2014Tuesday, February 18, 2014 post by Aunt Millie's Bread on Facebook:
Sign repair in process yesterday. One of the bread slices was blown off in a high wind. The motor is being replaced in the next few weeks so the sign will start rotating again.
Journal Gazette photo by Chad Ryan. — at Aunt Millie's.
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Michael F. Schlau of Creative Sign Resources repairs the sign in the mid-1980s. He is the late father of the company's current president, Matt Schlau.
Posted by Aunt Millie's Bread on Tuesday, February 18, 2014Tuesday, February 18, 2014 post by Aunt Millie's Bread on Facebook:
Michael F. Schlau of Creative Sign Resources repairs the sign in the mid-1980s. He is the late father of the company's current president, Matt Schlau. — at Aunt Millie's.
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In 2007 the sign was renovated in honor of its 50th birthday. Working on the sign are Creative Sign Resources employees Chris Young, Mike Becraft and Joe Glen.
Posted by Aunt Millie's Bread on Tuesday, February 18, 2014Tuesday, February 18, 2014 post by Aunt Millie's Bread on Facebook:
In 2007 the sign was renovated in honor of its 50th birthday. Working on the sign are Creative Sign Resources employees Chris Young, Mike Becraft and Joe Glen.
— at Aunt Millie's.
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Iconic Sunbeam Bread sign history photos, now known as Aunt Millie's Bread!
Posted by Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana on Thursday, February 20, 2014Thursday, February 20, 2014 post by the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana on Facebook:
Iconic Sunbeam Bread sign history photos, now known as Aunt Millie's Bread!
Shared Aunt Millie's Bread post:
The Sunbeam sign on top of Aunt Millie's bakery has been a favorite landmark in Fort Wayne since 1957. Over the years it has been repaired many times by Creative Sign Resources.
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Fort Wayne's most famous sign.
Posted by Aunt Millie's Bread on Tuesday, July 29, 2014July 29, 2014 post on Aunt Millie's Bread on Facebook:
Fort Wayne's most famous sign.
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The iconic Sunbeam Bread sign in Fort Wayne, IN from Nicholas Giacalone November 10, 2014 on Vimeo.
This is the rotating or "falling" Sunbeam Bread sign on the top of the Aunt Millie's Bakery in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The building is located at 350 Pearl St. Fort Wayne, IN 46802 -
December 2, 2014 post by Aunt Millie's Bread on Facebook:
In 1944, Aunt Millie’s Bakeries (then Perfection Biscuit Company) in Fort Wayne became a member of Quality Bakers of America (QBA) and began baking Sunbeam Bread.
Here’s a toast -- to 70 years of Sunbeam!
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7:29 minute video Aunt Millies Virtual Bakery Tour by Melissa Dunning July 16, 2015 on YouTube
Take a virtual tour of Aunt Millie's Fort Wayne Bakery, and learn how bread is made, in this 7.5 minute video.
A similar but shorter 6:10 minute video Aunt Millies Virtual Bakery Tour by Aunt Millie's Bakeries July 28, 2015 on YouTube
Take a virtual tour of our Fort Wayne Bakery and learn how bread is made. - Bakery rises to occasion by Terri Richardson published January 15, 2017 in The Journal Gazette newspaper now on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.
- Aunt Millie’s bakery in downtown Fort Wayne to close Over 90 employees will be affected; iconic sign to remain published November 6, 2017, LISA M. ESQUIVEL LONG AND JUSTIN KENNY, The News-Sentinel newspaper.
- A sign of continuity Cathie Rowand, November 8, 2017 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
- Aunt Millie’s bakery operation in downtown Fort Wayne to close Over 90 employees will be affected; iconic sign, corporate offices to remain November 6, 2017 Kevin Leininger The News-Sentinel newspaper.
- KEVIN LEININGER: List of ingredients in Aunt Millie’s closing is long and complex explains the closing Kevin Leininger November 11, 2017 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
- Sweetwater Sound buys Aunt Millie’s Bakery in downtown Fort Wayne by Kevin Leininger published October 8, 2018 The News-Sentinel newspaper.
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Aunt Millie's Bakeries – The BEST!
A big THANK YOU to Aunt Millie's Bakeries for their help with bringing "i Love this Town!" to television! August 25 at 7:30pm. WANE-TV Channel 15. (photo credit: Neal Bruns - Capture Photography & Video)
Posted by I Love This Town on Saturday, August 11, 2018Saturday, August 11, 2018 video post by I Love This Town on Facebook:
A big THANK YOU to Aunt Millie's Bakeries for their help with bringing "i Love this Town!" to television! August 25 at 7:30pm. WANE-TV Channel 15. (photo credit: Neal Bruns - Capture Photography & Video)
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June 29, 2021 post by The History Center on Facebook:
Generations of Allen County residents have memories of the smell of baking bread wafting through downtown Fort Wayne. John B. Franke established the Wayne Biscuit Company in 1901, producing Perfection Wafers (P.W. Crackers) and later bread, cakes and cookies. In 1923 it became the first bakery in Indiana to offer wrapped bread. Always a family affair, after Franke’s death in 1927 his son-in-law H. Leslie Popp took over the running of the bakery (the Popp family still owns the bakery). By the mid-1950s the cookie and cracker lines were phased out. Since 1957 the iconic animated sign, featuring slices of bread falling fresh from the loaf, has been a landmark in downtown Fort Wayne. The aroma of baking bread began to waft over the city when Perfection Bakeries began making Sunbeam Bread in 1946 and Aunt Millie’s in the 1990s. Perfection Bakeries changed its name to Aunt Millie’s Bakeries in 2005. In 2017, it was announced that the Fort Wayne bakery would be closing. However, as a continued mark of its dedication to Fort Wayne, Aunt Millie’s announced that their corporate headquarters would remain at their Pearl Street location. #sociallyhistory
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May 20, 2023 post by Aunt Millie's Bread on Facebook:
Recently we sat down with John H.D Wagner from 21Alive to discuss the Sunbeam sign at our corporate office in Fort Wayne, IN. Indeed, it is just that simple.
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February 8, 2024 post by Fort Wayne Business Weekly on Facebook:
Feb. 8 - What's happening to Sunbeam sign with Aunt Millie's relocation?
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February 8, 2024 post by WANE 15 on Facebook:
The move is planned for April.
Aunt Millie’s headquarters moving to Waynedale; bread sign to stay on Pearl Street
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The 'iconic' Sunbeam Bread sign is staying put despite Aunt Millie's move February 9, 2024 FOX 55 Fort Wayne on YouTube
For many people in Fort Wayne the Sunbeam Bread sign is iconic. -
Sounds like another #FortWayne original is disappearing from the skyline. The spinning loaf of bread will soon be no more. Drone shot from a beautiful summer day not too long ago. #perfection #sunbeam pic.twitter.com/RxqfOEVS8v
— John McGauley (@JohnMcGauley) January 28, 2025January 28, 2025 Tweet.
Sounds like another #FortWayne original is disappearing from the skyline. The spinning loaf of bread will soon be no more. Drone shot from a beautiful summer day not too long ago. #perfection #sunbeam
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In honor of the removal of the Sunbeam sign in downtown Fort Wayne, I give you the Barenaked Ladies talking about their love for the sign at a concert last summer. pic.twitter.com/3HiYWpJncT
— Ashley Sloboda_JG (@AshleySloboda) January 29, 2025January 29, 2025 Tweet:
In honor of the removal of the Sunbeam sign in downtown Fort Wayne, I give you the Barenaked Ladies talking about their love for the sign at a concert last summer.