Harbord Bakery celebrates 80 years of community, challah and sugar cookies
4 generations of Susan Wisniewski's family have run the Annex bakery, which opened in 1945
There aren't too many businesses in the city that can say they've been open for 80 years — but Harbord Bakery in the Annex is one of them.
The bakery opened in 1945, and it has remained a family run business since.
"There are so many memories," said owner Susan Wisniewski, who lived above the bakery growing up.
"As a little girl, I sat in my stroller outside of the bakery and people greeted me," she said.
It was Wisniewski's parents, Goldie and Albert Kosower, who established the Toronto landmark. Her grandson now works weekends at the bakery, marking the fourth generation of the family to be involved.
What keeps Wisniewski working six days a week at the age of 76, she says, is her love of the customers.
"A lot of times people come and say, 'I used to come here with my dad when I was a little person' [or] 'Your mom used to give me the sprinkle cookies,'" she said.
She's seen generations of customers grow up.
This month, Harbord Bakery turns 80 years old. It's been a fixture in the Annex neighbourhood for decades, selling cakes, challah, pastries and freshly made lunch items. It's known to have long lineups around Jewish holidays.
"Because they've been here for so long, with a good attitude and that community sense, they've become an anchor in the area," said Neil Wright, chair of the Harbord Street BIA. He said it's important to maintain long-standing, locally owned businesses in neighbourhoods to make communities feel safe and welcome.
Keeping the business going through construction and rising prices has been tough, Wisniewski says, but with the help of her family, the goal is to keep the bakery open for many years to come.
"My family is my first love, and this bakery is my second love," she said.
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