Bakeries can be considered an essential part of communities all across the nation, and many are still thriving and going strong several decades later, writes Elizabeth Chorney-Booth for Love Food.

Philadelphia is home to three of the oldest surviving bakeries in the nation.

One is Termini Brothers. Opened in 1921 by brothers Giuseppe and Gaetano Termini, the bakery has since been family-owned for three generations while developing a reputation for its ornate wedding cakes. Now, Termini Bros. does a brisk mail-order business, as well as counter service at five locations, selling cookies, cannoli, and cakes.

Philadelphia is also home to Bredenbeck’s Bakery and Ice Cream Parlor. First opened in 1889 by Bavarian immigrant Frederick Robert, he later sold it to the Haug family, who opened the current location in 1983. The shop initially built a reputation for mastering the art of beautiful modern cake decoration, but later expanded to include ice cream in 1985.

There is also Isgro Pastries, especially popular for its award-winning specialty, cannoli. The bakery was founded in 1904 by the Isgro family, who still runs it today. Isgro also makes traditional Italian butter cookies, pignoli, pasticcini, and other tasty pastries.

Read more about the oldest bakeries in Philly and throughout the U.S. at Love Food.

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