15,000 Reasons to Celebrate North Adelaide's Perryman's Bakery

A single gingerbread has the power to tell a hundred stories and, at Perryman’s Artisan Bakery in North Adelaide, it has done so for generations.

Its signature gingerbread "babies", baked using a traditional recipe penned in the 1850s, remain part of the bakery's legacy in the area as it celebrates 100 years in business.

The spiced, honey-rich treats symbolise the bakery’s enduring connection to the community and offer a delightful scent for residents nearby. 

Co-owners Kylie Schmidt and Conor McGuinness say Perryman’s centenary is not just a celebration of longevity but also of tradition, family and the countless customers who have made the corner bakery a part of their own histories.

Ms Schmidt says the bakery’s traditions were too essential to let go when they purchased the business in 2011, so she ensured the gingerbread “babies” had no chance of running away.

So much so, more than 15,000 are baked each day.

To boost the biscuit’s prominence even further, she introduced a coffee service with none other than a gingerbread on the side as a nod to the institution’s North Adelaide roots.

“Everyone you run into says ‘yeah, I know Perryman’s’ or ‘I love (its) little gingerbread’… it is such an iconic brand,” Ms Schmidt says.

“The gingerbread we produce and sell is based on the original owners’ recipe, which is really cool.

“Perryman’s and its little gingerbread men have really stood the test of time… because they’re popular with adults and kids. Plus, we sell them Australia-wide now.”

Located at the corner of Tynte and Margaret streets, the company’s inaugural baker, Diedrich Mahnke, started the building’s origins as a bakery in the 1850s.

The Perryman family took over the business in 1925, going through three generations of the family before deciding to sell.

“When we took over, we saw it as such a great opportunity to be a part of the Perryman’s story,” Ms Schmidt says.

“Now, when people come into the bakery, so much nostalgia comes with it all.

“A lot of people who went to school in the area, say 60 years ago, still come in now and share stories about going to Perryman’s with their grandkids.

“And lots of people remember lining up around the corner on a Good Friday (public holiday) to get their fresh hot-cross bun.”

There were just a few options on the menu when Ms Schmidt and Mr McGuinness took over, with the main options being lunchtime pies, pasties and strudels that “were done really well”.

However, she wanted to introduce even more sandwiches, artisan sourdough, and ciabatta breads to broaden the bakery’s offerings and keep it relevant among locals.

“These were a great add-on because then we were making fresh sandwiches every day, which is great for nearby offices,” Ms Schmidt says.

“This then opened the doors to catering, which people love.”

Ms Schmidt says there are often lines of people waiting for their goodies, especially around midday when the demand for its half-size lunchtime pie and pasties is high.

“The Perryman family built the brand on quality and consistency, and we are able to continue that, which is still our mantra today,” she says.

The City of Adelaide is supporting Perryman’s 100th anniversary by assisting with a celebration on Saturday, 11 October 2025, from 9:30 am -1:30 pm. 

A small section of Tynte Street will be blocked off between Margaret and Curtis Streets to accommodate live musicians, face painting, roving performers, giveaways and a cupcake-decorating station for children.

A plaque commemorating 100 years of operation will also be unveiled.

Ms Schmidt says is a way of “giving back” to the community.