When Dad came home from work with a black and white checkered box with a white string tied around it, we knew it was gonna be good. Sometimes it was a six-layer chocolate cake with a cherry on top. Other times the box contained flaky, cream-filled chocolate eclairs (still my favorite). Occasionally it would be filled with buttery rainbow cookies. Just the sight of black and white checkers made our mouths water!
In 1975 (the year I was born!), teen-ager Michael Hatcher started his career in Thalhimers bakery. Post-Thalhimers, Michael has owned his own bakery, now called Michaela’s Quality Bakeshop on Richmond’s Northside at 207 W. Brookland Park Blvd. Not only does he still use the exact same recipe for six-layer chocolate cakes and eclairs, but he also bakes strawberry shortcake, pies, Sally Lunn rolls, Boston cream pie, custom wedding and “special occasion” cakes, and all kinds of cookies and muffins.
Lyla and I arrived at Michaela’s just before closing time today, but there were still two six-layer cakes in the bakery case! I was overjoyed to see the eclairs, just like the ones Dad used to bring home, so we picked up one of those too. Seeing how excited Lyla was about the cake, Mr. Hatcher reached into the case and pulled out an extra piece of cake for her. “This one’s on me,” he said. Lyla’s eyes lit up as she took the piece of cake into her little hands. Not only did he give us a free piece of cake, but Mr. Hatcher walked us to the car and carried our bakery box. Talk about quality AND service…just like Thalhimers!
Finding Thalhimers 
My daughter and I went to pick up some catering dishes, Martha, a friend, was giving my daughter and we talked a long time about the 9 years she catered in the 80’s, well long story short she told us about her grandmother Sadie Kelly Carlton whom made wedding dresses for Thalhimers and Miller and Rhoades. She lived in the Forest Hills area in a Victorian home, Martha has her sewing machine also and a serving set consisting of a punch bowl, 24 cups, vases, and more pieces to match. Martha seems to think that Sadie may have purchased it from Thalhimers. I was so intreged I told her I would think there are some pictures somewhere maybe with her grandmother at a fitting. Just thought this was interesting and wanted to share.