PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Many people braved the extreme cold and waited in line for Termini Brothers bakery in South Philadelphia to open Saturday so they could get their treats just in time for the holiday.
This year marks the 101st year people, like Greg Komondor from Baltimore, showed up before sunrise to buy cookies, cannoli and other baked goods from the bakery.
Komondor has been making the drive from Baltimore to Philly every Christmas Eve for 16 years now.
He says it is a tradition.
“We actually have a 105 year old great grandmother who is still with us and every year we still bring her a sfogliatella and a cannoli.”
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Vince Termini, owner of Termini Brothers, appreciates all of those who come out and, this year, he handed out coffee to those braving the weather for his baked goods.
“These people have been coming here 20–30 years, and that’s unbelievable,” Termini said.
“That’s why I’m here to greet them. I’m 84 years old. It’s hard to get up at 3 o'clock in the morning, but I’m here.”
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He hopes this tradition will last for many years to come.
“I have two sons in the business,” Termini said. “My grandson is here with my son, so he’ll be the next generation, hopefully.”
“We hope to keep the business going another hundred years. I won’t be here to see it, but I hope so.”