The beloved Italian bakery that calls Schenectady home is closing its doors and turning off its ovens for good. Barry Wygel has the story.
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- It's the end of an era.
"There just wasn't enough time to save the bakery," said Warren Zeiser, the CEO of Mastroianni Brothers Bakery.
After more than 93 years, the company started by eight Italian immigrant brothers will bake bread no more.
"For five or six years in a row, very steady decline. Anywhere from. $500,000 to $1 million in decline per year," said Mastroianni.
From a peak sales number of $10 million annually, recent years were making only half that, leading the board of directors to try and sell the company earlier this year. That proved fruitless, and now 52 people are out of work.
"In my short time here, I've grown to love these guys and respect them. The men and women of this bakery, were without any doubt the heart and soul of this company," said Zeiser.
Zeiser was brought in last year as a last ditch effort to save the struggling business, and despite a rebrand, and multiple new products being sold, there just wasn't any more he could do.
"For now, Mastroianni has baked its last loaf," said Zeiser.
Zeiser said there is a long shot of an investor coming in and saving the company, but it's not likely.