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Helms Bakery closing
The original Helms Bakery opened in Culver City in 1931 and became an L.A. icon, known for its yellow delivery trucks and daily fresh bread.
CULVER CITY, Calif. - Sang Yoon's Helms Bakery in Culver City is closing on December 14 after operating for just over one year.
What we know:
The announcement was made by Chef Sang Yoon via an Instagram post on December 4.
The bakery originally opened on November 1, 2024, following nearly 12 years of delays.
This closure comes shortly after Yoon shuttered the Arts District location of Father's Office in September after five years in business. The Santa Monica and Culver City locations of Father's Office will remain open.
The backstory:
Helms Bakery originally operated as a wholesale baking operation from 1931 to 1969.
According to Yoon, the original bakery closed in 1969 due to "rising costs and the rise of mass-produced supermarket bread."
When Yoon reopened the space in 2024, he did it "to bring back a beloved piece of Los Angeles history for Angelenos."
What they're saying:
In his announcement, Sang Yoon provided a candid reason for the closure.
"The last several years in Los Angeles have brought immense challenges for independent restaurants and changed how people dine and how businesses operate. Together, these factors have made it increasingly difficult to sustain Helms in its current form."
He also offered thanks to the patrons of the bakery.
"We hope to see you before we close, and we look forward to what the future holds."
What's next:
Helms Bakery's last day of operation is Dec. 14.
The Source: This report is based entirely on direct public statements and information released by Chef Sang Yoon himself, including the full text of his closure announcement posted on Instagram on December 4, which provided both the closing date and the official reasons for the decision. Key historical context and prior restaurant activity are drawn from known public records related to the Helms Bakery opening delays and the previous closure of his Arts District location.