Our Story
From German roots to Stone Mountain Tradition
The Village Corner began as a labor of love between two German immigrants with a passion for good bread and family tradition. Hilde and Claus Friese came to the U.S. from opposite corners of Germany—Claus from Hamburg in the north, and Hilde from a small town just outside of Munich in the south. After settling in Georgia following the birth of their first child, Hilde began baking breads that reminded her of home—dense rye loaves, tangy sourdoughs, and hearty Bavarian classics.
What began in her kitchen quickly grew by word of mouth. Neighbors fell in love with her breads, and before long, the demand was too much for a home oven to handle. Claus left his real estate career, and in 1974, the couple opened their first family business: The Basket Bakery.
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In 2008, Carl took things one step further and earned his Brewmaster’s license, founding the Stone Mountain Brewery. Today, our guests can enjoy a cold glass of Hefeweizen, Oktoberfest, or one of our other house-brewed beers right here on site—alongside a warm pretzel or a plate of sauerbraten.
Our establishment remains proudly family-run to this day. After experiencing a devastating fire in February 2024, we’re incredibly grateful to have reopened our doors and welcomed our community back with open arms. The heart of The Village Corner is stronger than ever—and we’re just getting started.
As a true Stone Mountain staple, Hilde sourced her wheat flour locally—ground at the historic Grist Mill inside Stone Mountain Park—and used it to bake breads, cakes, and pastries for bakeries and restaurants across the metro Atlanta area.
Years later, when their son Carl Friese graduated from culinary school, the family expanded their vision. Using Hilde’s treasured recipes and Carl’s formal training, they opened a full-service German restaurant offering schnitzels, sausages, roasts, and traditional side dishes, all made with care and heritage in mind.
