Gary bakery celebrates opening of its newest location
For over 30 years, the Bruno family has called Gary home, and as their new bakery opens, they plan to continue calling the city home.
“We’ve been here – me and my wife – in the city for so long,” said Ronald Bruno, owner of Organic Bread of Heaven. “We are so appreciative of the city and what it has given us.”
Bruno and his family celebrated the grand opening of Organic Bread of Heaven’s new location in Gary Friday morning. Organic Bread of Heaven is a USDA-certified organic company that offers baked goods free of dairy, nuts, sesame, eggs and soy, according to its website, Ovenfreshdelivery.com.
The new bakery is located at 437 Bridge Street in Gary and the family has another location at 2700 W. 5th Ave.
Bruno said Friday that the family started the business when his wife, Pamela, began baking bread for sandwiches at a family-owned nutrition store. The bread grew in popularity and the Bruno family began baking loaves for people who were interested and wanted a healthier alternative to grocery store bread.
Since then, the business has grown and also offers pies, sourdough bread, tortillas, bagels and more.
The Bruno family didn’t expect Organic Bread of Heaven’s popularity, Bruno said, but he’s excited to see people embrace the bakery.
“We had 3,500 people confirm that they would be here today,” Bruno said. “And our first thought was, ‘Oh no! But we are completely grateful.
Customers can place orders online or by phone, and orders must be placed by midnight Sunday for baking and shipping within the same week. Orders placed before midnight Sunday will be prepared and shipped Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on the website, and subsequent orders will be held until the following week.
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton spoke at Friday’s grand opening, saying he had seen Organic Bread of Heaven since he was a teenager, but had only stopped at 2700 W. 5th Ave. than last year.
“I went in and introduced myself to the parents, and ever since we met, it’s been such a blessing,” Melton said. “So, I just thank you for being a part of the scene for so long.”
Melton also told those attending the grand opening that the event represented more than a new location for Organic Bread of Heaven.
“This is a powerful statement about the city’s growing economic vitality,” he said. “I think you can all see too that almost every week for the last month we have been turning over dirt or cutting ribbons.”
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales was also at the inauguration Friday, and Melton and Bruno thanked him for his participation. Morales congratulated the Bruno family on the bakery’s new location and said it was indicative of Indiana’s history of business and growth.
“Thank you for investing in the future of the Hoosier State,” Morales said. “Please note that you still have a partner in the Indiana Secretary of State’s office. … I look forward to seeing the incredible things you accomplish, and I know your success will inspire others across the state, across the country and in the great city of Gary to start their own businesses.”
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
