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Italian Peoples Bakery

Coordinates: 40°12′46″N 74°45′05″W / 40.21269°N 74.75134°W / 40.21269; -74.75134
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Italian Peoples Bakery
Logo of the bakery on Butler Street
Restaurant information
Established1936
Owner(s)Carmen Guagliardo
Matthew Guagliardo
Previous owner(s)Pasquale Gervasio
Joseph Guagliardo
Food typeBakery
Dress codeCasual
Street address63 Butler St
CityTrenton
StateNew Jersey
Postal/ZIP Code08611
CountryUnited States
Other locationsVarious other locations
Websitewww.italianpeoplesbakery.com

Italian Peoples Bakery is a bakery and delicatessen founded in 1936 and located in the Chambersburg neighborhood of Trenton, New Jersey. The bakery expanded to wholesale distribution of products and now serves parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.[1]

History

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Entrance to the bakery on Butler St

The bakery of established in 1936 when Pasquale Gervasio opened a bakery on Hamilton Avenue in Trenton, New Jersey. The bakery was known for its bread spread and expanded over the years into wholesale distribution for local delis and supermarkets. Pasquale died in 1955. His family continued to operate the bakery until it was eventually purchased by Joseph Guagliardo, an in-law who formerly worked for General Motors. Ownership was later passed to his son, Carmen and grandson, Matthew.[2] In 1956, the bakery was incorporated and moved into automated production. By 1990, the bakery had acquired Frey's Baking Company and New Colonial Bakery as production included sourdough rye.[1]

On August 29, 1969, a major fire broke out in the bakery. The building was completely engulfed in flames also affecting the residents who lived upstairs, which included then owner Joseph Guagliardo, his wife, Phyllis, and son Carmen. According to Carmen, only the terrazzo floor survived the fire.[3]

Current status

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The bakery's primary location is on 63 Butler St in Trenton. It supplies multiple restaurants and markets including Hoagie Haven.[4] They serve for Thanksgiving and can be overloaded.[5] The bakery is considered a cultural establishment for Italians in Trenton.[6] The bakery remained opened during the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on delivery. At the end of March 2020, son of Carmen and part owner, Matthew Guagliardo said "the types of orders drastically change over the last couple of weeks".[7]

In 2016, the bakery became an 80-year family owned business.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b "History". Italian Peoples Bakery. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  2. ^ Greenburg, Wendy (October 4, 2016). "Trenton's Italian Peoples Bakery keeps it hot and fresh after 80 years". Community News. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  3. ^ Parker, L.A. (August 29, 2019). "L.A. PARKER: Italian People's Bakery continues legacy fifty years after fire gutted the Butler St. business". The Trentonian. Retrieved September 3, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "QUICK BITE/PRINCETON; An Old-School Sandwich Shop". New York Times. October 29, 2000.
  5. ^ "THANKSGIVING TRAVEL WITH A SIDE OF WINTRY WEATHER". ABC News. December 4, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  6. ^ Lari Robling (August 1, 2013). "In Chambersburg, once Trenton's Little Italy, immigrant history repeats". Newsworks. Archived from the original on December 10, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  7. ^ Greco, Richard (March 23, 2020). "Coronavirus outbreak won't stop Trenton club from supporting local restaurants". NJ.com. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  8. ^ Shayna Innocenti (May 22, 2016). "Italian People's Bakery a Chambersburg mainstay after 80 years". NJ.com. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
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40°12′46″N 74°45′05″W / 40.21269°N 74.75134°W / 40.21269; -74.75134