{"id":512250,"date":"2026-01-13T03:11:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T03:11:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/512250\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T03:11:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T03:11:20","slug":"this-jersey-city-bakery-has-been-open-for-98-years-what-is-its-secret-to-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/512250\/","title":{"rendered":"This Jersey City Bakery Has Been Open for 98 Years. What is Its Secret to Success?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Eats<\/p>\n

The streets of Jersey City are lined with dozens of food establishments, both old and new. Bakeries in the area are some of the most highly sought-after businesses for fresh bread, celebration cakes, and sweet treats<\/a>. One local bakery, Second Street Bakery, has been around for almost 100 years in the same spot at 402 2nd Street. What started as a wholesale bread bakery in 1927 has now turned into a three-generation family business. We had a chance to visit this neighborhood bakery and speak with the current owner, Gino Sinischalchi, about his family, the business, and how things have changed in his more than 30 years of ownership. Read on to learn more about the progression of one of Jersey City\u2019s oldest and most beloved bakeries.<\/b>\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

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The Beginning of the Bakery<\/b><\/p>\n

Gino\u2019s grandfather, Antonio, started the bakery by building the structure that still stands today back in 1927. \u201cIn 1927, when it started, it was basically only bread and mostly wholesale with a small retail business,\u201d Gino said. As the wholesale business grew, the bakery went to a wholesale-only model for three decades through the 1940s, 50s, and 60s until Gino\u2019s dad reopened the retail business in 1972. Since then, many of the recipes have remained the same. When asked what his favorite items to bake are, he said, \u201call of the breads and items we have been making for the last 40 years\u2013the pepperoni breads, bread with sausage\u2013all of the classics.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Read More:\u00a0Don Goyo Tacos Mexicanos Opens on Palisade Avenue<\/a><\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

Staying Power<\/b><\/p>\n

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Being in business for nearly 100 years comes with its fair share of trying times. The business has survived economic recessions, the 2020 global pandemic, family grief, and so much more. When asked about how the business got through these times, Gino said, \u201cIt gets rougher every year, it seems. Costs are through the roof, but we do what we can do.\u201d However, he went on to say that there was a small bright spot during the COVID-19 pandemic. \u201cWhen people were working from home during the pandemic, they would come into the store to grab lunch, and we really got a new customer base.\u201d Because Gino and his wife, who helps him run the business, are getting older and costs are rising, he said that they have \u201creally scaled the business down.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Hello<\/a>\"\"\/<\/p>\n

The bakery is nestled in the middle of a residential area, making it a true hidden gem. While they do not do much traditional marketing, the word of mouth of long-time customers and a high-quality product keep the business alive. Gino\u2019s son, Gino Jr., and daughter-in-law were also in the shop when we visited, and they shared all about their father\u2019s hard work and heart for the business. They expressed that they are sometimes worried about the workload, but know that this bakery is their heart. They also shared how generous he is. \u201cHe hasn\u2019t raised the prices in years,\u201d shared Gino Jr. \u201cHe would rather keep people happy and have a business most people can afford than to make more money for himself.\u201d This level of selflessness, Gino says, is what has kept the sense of community. \u201cThey\u2019re grateful that you\u2019re still here. This is comfort for them,\u201d he says of the customers who have been coming in for decades.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

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\"The<\/a>\"\"\/
\nThe Menu<\/b><\/p>\n

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\u201cMany of the items we sell are original recipes,\u201d shared Gino. Even a block away, customers can smell the inviting aroma of fresh bread being made. That\u2019s because everything is made, from scratch, by Gino himself. \u201cI do all the baking,\u201d he said when asked how everything gets done. The menu items are named after local spots like Downtown, Journal Square, Heights, Greenville, and Bergen.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Customers can get sandwiches and sweet and savory breads. \u201cThe most popular items on the menu are the stuffed rolls. We serve them with sauce on the side, and people come in for a quick lunch.\u201d The sweeter side of the menu has grown over the years to include ricotta, cheesecake, and chocolate calzones. During the holidays, they put a spin on the classic calzones, adding a pumpkin spice variation to the menu. While the customers love it, Gino says his older relatives likely would not have approved. \u201cOh! They would throw me out of the place,\u201d he said, jokingly, when asked if his ancestors would have approved of the new age addition.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

The Legacy<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cWe want people to know we do our best, we have a high-quality product at a good price, and we put love into everything we do.\u201d This is Gino\u2019s hope for the legacy of the business. As we stood in the bakery, customers came in and out with a smile. One woman had traveled to see her family and even remembered to stop at the ATM. \u201cI thought they were still cash only,\u201d she said. The bakery just recently started accepting credit cards and digital payments, a technology upgrade from the old-school, cash-only operation that has been in place for decades. Since the days of his grandfather running the show, Second Street Bakery has been a part of Jersey City culture, and while the bakery may not be the most famous in the world, its heart and sense of pride certainly span generations.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Second Street Bakery is located at 402 Second Street in Jersey City and is open every day except Mondays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.\n<\/p>\n

See More:\u00a0New + Upcoming Spots to Eat Around Bergen County<\/a><\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

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Food + Drink<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\"Aspen<\/a>\"\"\/<\/p>\n