>> WELL, MANY OF YOU ARE PLANNING DATE NIGHTS VALENTINE’S DAY. ONE LOCAL BUSINESS IS IN A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP WITH TARIFFS. THE CAPE CORAL BAKERY IMPORTS INGREDIENTS FROM EUROPE TO BRING YOU SOME AUTHENTIC TASTE AS GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER JACKIE GUNTHER FOUND OUT THEY ARE DOING ALL THEY CAN TO KEEP PRICES SWEET FOR YOU. >> GEARHART AND MELANIE BOXING MOVES FROM HAMBURG, GERMANY TO CAPE CORAL A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. WE WERE AT A CERTAIN POINT WHERE WE WANTED TO CHANGE LIFE. AND INSTEAD OF MOVING FROM HAMBURG TO MUNICH, FOR EXAMPLE, WE MADE TO BIGGER CHANGE AND WE MOVE FORWARD HERE TO UNITED STATES AND >> TAKING OVER THIS BAKERY WAS GREAT OPPORTUNITY. BUT THE AMERICAN DREAM IS NOT ALWAYS AS GLAMOROUS AS IT SEEMS AND COMES WITH OBSTACLES. WE’RE STARTING IN THE MORNING, VERY ONLY. >> AROUND ABOUT AND WE’RE CLOSING AT 2. THAT’S NOT THE END WORKING DAY. THEN WE TO TO SHOP FARTHEST. ARE THERE CERTAIN THINGS AND CERTAIN BECAME MORE EXPENSIVE? >> AND FOCUSING QUALITY AND TRY TO MAINTAIN TO COME TO SOME CO FOR ALL CUSTOMERS. SO >> THERE IMPACTING WE’RE FEELING THE SQUEEZE OF THOSE TARIFFS, BUT IT’S NOT STOPPING THE BUS SINGS FROM DOING WHAT THEY LOVE. >> 24 7, WE KNOW THAT MOST PASTRIES ARE MADE WITH FLOUR BUTTER. >> AND EGGS. BUT HERE AT DREAD PETE BAKERY, THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENTS ARE LOVE AND WARMTH. >> A BAKERY IMPORTS MAJORITY OF THEIR INGREDIENTS LIKE FLOUR FROM EUROPE TO ENSURE THE BEST QUALITY FALL CENTER THOSE PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN SEVERELY TAXED BY TARIFFS, INCREASING THEIR COST OF IMPORTING THEM. RIGHT NOW THEY ARE EATING THAT COST, PAYING THE DIFFERENCE OUT OF POCKET AND KEEPING PRICES THE SAME FOR CUSTOMERS MAKES ME REALLY HAPPY TO SEE. ALSO HAPPY CUSTOMERS SHOT OR SPREAD ME. IT’S FAMILY STIER AND EVEN THE CUSTOMERS LOOK FORWARD TO THE AND HAPPY FACES. WHAT DO YOU SEE EVERY TIME YOU COME IN HERE
Baked with Love: A German couple’s sweet American dream
Updated: 6:27 PM EST Feb 13, 2026
Gerhart and Melanie Wassink, owners of Bread Pete Bakery in Cape Coral, moved from Hamburg, Germany, to the United States with their two daughters a year and a half ago, seeking a new life, change and opportunity. Gerhart Wassink said, “We were at a certain point where we wanted to change our life. Instead of moving from Hamburg to Munich, we made a bigger change, and we moved over here to the United States. Taking over this bakery was a great opportunity to start a new life here in the United States.”The Wassinks have found that the American dream comes with its own set of challenges. Some of the challenges include long working hours every day of the week since the bakery is open Monday through Friday.Melanie Wassink explained the long hours, saying, “We are starting in the morning very early, around about 6. And we are closing at 2, but that’s not the end of our working day.”More recently, tariffs have driven up the cost of key imported ingredients like flour.Gerhart Wassink noted the impact of tariffs on their business, saying, “Certain things and certain ingredients became more expensive. But we focus on quality and try to maintain the consistency of, for our customers. So, tariffs are impacting us.” Despite these challenges, the Wassinks remain committed to their craft, continuing to import the majority of their ingredients from Europe to ensure authenticity and quality. The bakery absorbs the increased costs from the tariffs, maintaining the same prices for customers. Gerhart Wassink shared the importance of customer satisfaction, saying, “It makes me really happy to see also happy customers. It’s also fun to work with my employees. We have also a good customer working culture here. It’s friendly. It’s a family-style.”Customers we spoke with say that every time they walk through the bakery doors, they find smiling faces and delicious food.For Melanie and Gerhart Wassink, this is just the beginning of their journey in Cape Coral — one built on hard work, tradition and a shared love for what they do.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Gerhart and Melanie Wassink, owners of Bread Pete Bakery in Cape Coral, moved from Hamburg, Germany, to the United States with their two daughters a year and a half ago, seeking a new life, change and opportunity.
Gerhart Wassink said, “We were at a certain point where we wanted to change our life. Instead of moving from Hamburg to Munich, we made a bigger change, and we moved over here to the United States. Taking over this bakery was a great opportunity to start a new life here in the United States.”
The Wassinks have found that the American dream comes with its own set of challenges. Some of the challenges include long working hours every day of the week since the bakery is open Monday through Friday.
Melanie Wassink explained the long hours, saying, “We are starting in the morning very early, around about 6. And we are closing at 2, but that’s not the end of our working day.”
More recently, tariffs have driven up the cost of key imported ingredients like flour.
Gerhart Wassink noted the impact of tariffs on their business, saying, “Certain things and certain ingredients became more expensive. But we focus on quality and try to maintain the consistency of, for our customers. So, tariffs are impacting us.”
Despite these challenges, the Wassinks remain committed to their craft, continuing to import the majority of their ingredients from Europe to ensure authenticity and quality.
The bakery absorbs the increased costs from the tariffs, maintaining the same prices for customers. Gerhart Wassink shared the importance of customer satisfaction, saying, “It makes me really happy to see also happy customers. It’s also fun to work with my employees. We have also a good customer working culture here. It’s friendly. It’s a family-style.”
Customers we spoke with say that every time they walk through the bakery doors, they find smiling faces and delicious food.
For Melanie and Gerhart Wassink, this is just the beginning of their journey in Cape Coral — one built on hard work, tradition and a shared love for what they do.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.