Irmgard “M” Klingler was born and raised in Germany. She met Richard while he was stationed in the army and they married, bringing family recipes and traditions to Alabama. M always had a knack for baking. She was constantly being asked if she could make her “European Cheesecake” (amaretto almond) for special occasions. She never minded because she was fond of the amaretto and enjoyed “sipping” it while creating her masterpiece.
Over the years, she would bake for restaurants, and her daughter, Michelle, would work on weekends and breaks from school. In 1991 they expanded and moved to Vestavia Hills. Richard later retired from his full-time job and joined the team, along with cake artist and baker Edith Webster, who has now been with them 22 years.
Michelle has been involved in all areas of the business over the years but especially loves creating new products, designing menus and planning events. She also handles all of the catering and special events and has won numerous awards for her designs. In 2005, she married Chef Eric Witherington, who owns all of the Moe’s Original BBQ’s in Birmingham. She currently makes the cornbread for Moe’s as well, and her son, Cody, manages the Lakeview location.
Chloe Sellers, Michelle’s daughter, began her stint full time with Klingler’s at the age of four months when a tornado destroyed her daycare at Vestavia Baptist Church. She stayed right by M’s side everyday at the register. Now a freshman at Vestavia Hills High School, she is right there with M on Sundays greeting and helping the customers.
