Vitale's Italian Baking Tradition
Told by: Grace Vitale
My father, Peter Bommarito, was the son of Italian immigrants. He was determined to start his own business and had the courage and determination to do so. In 1947, my parents, Peter and Frances, opened "Bommarito's Bakery" on 18th Street and Madison in downtown St. Their primary business was baking bread for restaurants, import stores and ma
rkets in the city. As the business grew, my mother began selling the freshly baked bread during the day in the store front. When I started dating my future husband Pete, he was interested in baking; so my father, who took great pride in his work, taught him the trade. My father retired in 1966 and my siblings, along with myself and Pete, continued the tradition until 1975. With the help of our children, Sam, Angie, and Michael we continued baking breads for restaurants throughout the city and expanded with a retail store. Our bakery still continues the family bread baking tradition, along with cookies, biscotti, cannolis, and even pizza shells! My parents would be proud that we kept the tradition alive and honor their courage and determination they had over half a century ago!
