BERWYN (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Workers at Vesecky’s Bakery in west suburban Berwyn turned off the oven on Tuesday for the last time — after more than a century in business.
“My husband’s great grandparents started the bakery,” said Nancy Vesecky.
That was nearly 120 years ago. Now, Vesecky said the bakery, located on Cermak Road near Clarence Avenue, is finished.
“We decided to retire,” she said. “It’s time.”
On Tuesday, Vesecky said the line was out the door. She said it’s “been very emotional.”
“I’ve been crying all morning, and now I’m going to start again,” she said. “So many of our customers, they’ve been more than just customers; they’re more like friends and family. It’s been really hard because we’re breaking a lot of their traditions.”
Martha Usher is one of those customers who became family. Usher said that while she's been going to Vesecky’s Bakery for 20 years, her husband’s family has been going for 50.
By the time Parn Chantha arrived at the bakery, the shelves were already empty.
“I heard the news, and I thought they said they were going to close at the end of year,” Chantha said. “I’m sad to see them go. It’s a total institution.”
Vesecky said the experience has been “amazing.”
“We’re very grateful,” she said.
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