On February 9, a total of 78 years of breadstick manufacturing in the Bronx, N.Y., will come to a close with the public auction sale of equipment from the Stella D'oro baking headquarters on West 237th Street. This announcement follows years' worth of struggle between the new owners of the facility and the employees, whom were all members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union.
Founded in 1932 by Joseph Kresivich, an Italian immigrant, it was run by the family before being sold to Nabisco in 1992. Nabisco was bought by Kraft and in 2006, Kraft sold the Stella D'oro factory to a private investing firm, Brynwood Partners. A bitter labor dispute and year long strike ensued. In the end, Brynwood sold the company to Lance Inc. and they moved production to a factory in Ohio, leaving more than 150 people unemployed, some of which had worked there for more than 30 years.
The auction sale is open to the public, featuring both the very breadstick line which made this factory famous, plus 200-foot ovens previously producing all types of cookies and Italian delights. Both buyers and curiosity seekers will have a chance to wander throughout the maze of departments and rooms in this famous bakery, with a chance to view and acquire equipment relics still remaining from when the factory first opened its doors. Those interested in learning more about the auction can visit www.rabin.comor contact Rabin Worldwide for additional information at 800-421-2144.