Hatboro Bakery's Trump-Themed Gingerbread House Prompting Online Attacks, Owner Says

HATBORO, PA — Lochel's Bakery on York Road has seen success selling baked goods geared to President Donald Trump.

From cakes to cookies, Trump goods have flown off the shelves — even though the bakery has been battered for it on social media.

Co-owner Kathleen Lochel once again addressed the "hatred" she's witnessed from comments about the Trump items.

"The truth, however, is hate is home here in Hatboro, especially on so many groups, pages, and lawns," Lochel's Bakery posted on Facebook. "People may not like that we have expanded our political items then cookies over the years, and to be quite honest, I don't really love it."

But the Trump items are selling, Lochel's Bakery said.

"We have people emailing every day to order Trump cookies or Trump cakes," the bakery said. " We just made several this weekend for birthday parties. We have a customer from Virginia who is willing to drive here to pick up six of the houses. I don't love any of this, but if it generates revenue for our business, which then provides jobs, and pays towards astronomically high health insurance, because yes our full timers do have benefits, and then ultimately attracts people into our town to buy other things then I do what I have to do, not just for my business, but actually for the town as well."

Lochel said that neighboring businesses said that bakery sales help draw customers into their places to shop, eat or find a new hair or nail salon.

"There is a much bigger picture than what the hate is seeing," Lochel said. "The hate that I am receiving is not just through social media, but also the inappropriate emails we have gotten are sick."

Lochel said she might take the social media attacks to the Hatboro Borough Police Department because of the harassment, some of which Lochel said are from borough residents.

"People can have differences of opinions and they can still respect one another," Lochel said. "As a business, we want to make things that sell and that bring people into town. You don't have to like that, but at least try to respect the fact that we're in business to be in business and make what sells."

Lochel said the bakery has been offered "a lot of money" for its buildings, but chooses to be invested in Hatboro.

"And to think this is not the first time we've ever sold political things," Lochel said. "But the outrage this time is more than ever. It's actually very hateful in this town of Hatboro."