Raphael's Bakery Café
One of Bemidji’s favorite downtown bakeries and restaurants not only serves up sweet treats and home-cooked comfort food, but Raphael’s Bakery Café has been a strong supporter of Bemidji State University students for nearly 30 years.
Raphael’s story begins 30 minutes north of Bemidji in the town of Blackduck, where Ray Sweeney, Sr. and his wife, Patricia, opened the business in 1973. Their son, Ray, Jr., and his wife, Brenda, purchased the bakery in 1990 and moved it to its current location on Minnesota Avenue in downtown Bemidji. Four generations of the Sweeney family have owned, operated and worked at the bakery.
Raphael’s has been a long-time supporter of Bemidji State students, including providing in-kind gifts of baked goods and other food to BSU fundraising events like golf tournaments that support Beavers Athletics.
Bemidji State University is thankful for Raphael’s long-time support of BSU students. The university looks forward to partnering with Raphael’s in the future to reach its shared goal of making a positive difference in the Bemidji community.
