After closing in June, Agostini Bakery resumes baking under new ownership

Jeff Horvath, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·2 min read

Oct. 8—A popular Old Forge bakery that closed in June after about 115 years in business resumed baking this week under new ownership.

William Lombardo, owner of Lombardo's Market in Yatesville, purchased Agostini Bakery, which will remain at 1216 S. Main St. and continue supplying local grocery stores and eateries with bread, hoagie rolls and pizza shells, said Angie Agostini, wife of former owner Robert Agostini. They finalized the sale of the business last month, she said.

A deed recorded Sept. 27, shows Robert Agostini, Charles Alexander, Paul Alexander and Mark Alexander, all listed as grantors, transferred the 1216 S. Main St. property to Baker LLC of Yatesville for $180,000. Robert Agostini had an undivided two thirds interest in the property, according to the deed.

The bakery, a community staple established in 1907, closed its doors in June amid inflation and staffing challenges. An announcement on its Facebook page at the time prompted an outpouring of comments from people sad to see the business go.

Angie Agostini said Friday her family is happy the bakery will continue under new ownership, noting she's helping with the transition.

"We're thrilled, because it was bittersweet for us to have to close," she said. "But we're thrilled that they're taking it over and that they're going to keep the legacy going."

The bakery's storefront has yet to reopen, and when it will remains to be seen. Baking there resumed Monday, with many of the same bakers on staff.

A buyer for Gerrity's Supermarkets, which had carried Agostini pizza shells prior to the June closure, plans to meet with the bakery's new ownership early next week, Gerrity's co-owner Joe Fasula said.

"As long as everything is in line with what is best for our customers, we will be bringing them back in," Fasula said of the Agostini pizza shells. "The other thing I would add is a nod to Imperial Bakery (in Scranton), who has done a terrific job filling the gap for us and has been a really good partner to us."

Antonio's Pizza & Subs at 405 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre, posted Friday on Facebook that Agostini bread is back at the business.

"We're just trying to get the deliveries up and running to get the pizza shells to stores and to the businesses, and the breads, obviously, too," Angie Agostini said, noting later, "we are here to help in any way we can."

Lombardo was not available for comment Friday.

Contact the writer: jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141; @jhorvathTT on Twitter.