Valerie Maravi and Shawn Towne
54 minutes ago
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A Providence bakery that has been a community staple since the late 1930s has closed for good.
“This place has supported many generations and we've had so much fun here. We have so many memories,” Michelle Bucci, owner of Janet's Bakery, told 12 News.
Butch started working at the Branch Avenue business in 1994. She and her husband inherited this company from her mother and great-grandmother named Janet.
“I take care of people in their 50s whose great-grandparents came here,” Bucci added.
Bucci said the decision to close was not made lightly. Not only were there challenges associated with running her small business, but she also lost the support of her best friend after her husband passed away.
“I hope my husband is looking down at me right now, smiling,” she said. “I'll miss you.”
“I think he would say he was very proud of me for not taking a step back even when I was sick,” Bucci added.
According to one patron, her influence extends far beyond the city's borders.
“I've seen people come in here and say, 'Oh, I'm buying a lot of this.'” I'm going to freeze it and deliver it to my family in Florida, right? ” Donald Confalone said. “Even people in Florida are going to miss out.”
Now that he has sold his business, Butch said he plans to take some time to focus on himself and figure out his next step.
“It's hurting me right now. I can't imagine leaving here tomorrow and handing over the keys to someone else,” Butch said. “I definitely won't be able to come to Branch Avenue…maybe for the rest of my life.”
