If you’re wandering downtown Hendersonville this holiday season, there’s one stop you absolutely don’t want to miss: McFarlan Bakery. Nestled on Main Street, this bake shop isn’t just another bakery — it’s a community landmark, a tradition, and if we’re being honest: a necessity for anyone craving outstanding donuts, cakes, and all the sweet goodness you can imagine.
McFarlan Bakery has been part of Hendersonville’s story since 1930. It originally opened across the street from its current 309 N Main Street location, before moving in the 1960s.
In that time it has held onto its “made‑from‑scratch” ethos: recipes handed down, doughs mixed by hand, butter, sugar and eggs still front‑and‑center.
One longtime employee, Vera Orr, started working there in 1942 when she was just 13 years old — a sign of how deeply rooted this place is in the community.
When new owners took over in recent years, they promised to keep every bit of the tradition intact.
Walk through the door and you’ll see a pastry case full of more than 100 items: glazed donuts that people literally line up for, apple fritters that vanish fast, cookies, cakes, pies, seasonal specials — you name it.
Donuts? Oh yes. If you thought a donut was just okay, McFarlan will change your mind. The texture, the glaze, the childhood‑nostalgia factor — it all converges here.
Cakes and catering? Absolutely. Whether you need something for a holiday party, a work event, or just to treat yourself, they’ve got you. The eight‑layer pound cake, the house favorites that generations have grown up with… these are things people talk about.
Why It’s Perfect for the Holidays:
– You’re looking for special sweet treats for your gathering: check.
– You want something local, authentic, heritage‑rich: check.
– You want to support a downtown institution that means more than just business: double check.
Downtown Hendersonville during the holiday season is already magical, and knowing you have McFarlan Bakery in your itinerary makes it that much sweeter.
So here’s the plan:
- Head to 309 N Main Street, Hendersonville, NC. Make sure you arrive early — those donuts fly.
- Grab some for yourself: a dozen for the office, a cake for your holiday dessert table, a box of assorted sweets just because.
- Pause a moment, breathe in the aroma, take a photo of the white‑box in your hand (you’ll feel the heritage).
- Share it: Tag McFarlan Bakery (if they’re on social), tell them you found them through To Asheville & Beyond, and spread the word.
- Keep it going: Support downtown Hendersonville, enjoy the small‑town charm, and know that by stepping through the door, you’re participating in something real.
We love when places endure. We love when tradition meets flavor. And we especially love when the simplest pleasures — like a donut that makes you smile — reign supreme.
Next time you find yourself in Hendersonville, swing by McFarlan Bakery. Let Melissa of Coldwell Banker Advantage tell you the story in our video, then taste it for yourself. Because some of life’s best memories are baked fresh.
See you in the pastry case.
