The doors are getting set to close at Fratelli’s Bakery in Sapperton.
After more than a decade in New West, the final day of Fratelli’s Sapperton location is on Saturday, June 1. Fratelli’s Authentic Italian Baking will continue to operate at its Vancouver location on Commercial Drive.
Owner Marco Cornale posted a video on social media on Jan. 6 telling customers about the impending closure of the New West shop.
“I want to thank the community of New Westminster and surrounding areas for making the bakery a part of your beautiful community. I have loved having my second location there,” he said. “So many friendships with neighbours and customers were developed over the years. We made so many cakes for all your occasions – for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and everyday treats.”
Cornale said the building’s landlord had informed him six months earlier that he was putting the building up for sale.
“And unfortunately, I received some terrible news on Boxing Day. It was confirmed that the building in New West was a done deal,” he said on the video. “The new owners are using it for themselves. It is potentially a dentist’s office.”
Cornale thanked community members for supporting the bakery since its opening in Sapperton in August 2013.
“As many of you will ask, I will not be reopening somewhere else. The answer is no,” he said. “I have been doing this for almost 27 years now and I am going to concentrate on having the one bakery here on Commercial Drive.”
At the time of his announcement, Cornale said he was planning to open the Commercial Drive location seven days a week and was working on plans for a delivery service.
“Again, thank you for all your support in New West. This has been an emotional decision,” he said. “Hopefully you can make the trek to Commercial Drive to continue enjoying our baked goods.”
In 2015, Fratelli Bakery received a Platinum Award as Business of the Year – Medium in New Westminster.
Fratelli Authentic Italian Baking continues to operate at 1795 Commercial Dr.
Fratelli’s wasn’t the first bakery to open in its current space at 459 East Columbia St.
Bella Cakes and Pastries operated in the location from February 2008 until June 2013. At that time its owners Fabio and Gina Cornale sold the business to Marco Cornale (Fabio’s brother), who turned it into a second location of the popular bakery he’d operated in Vancouver since 1997.
