It’s hard to believe it’s happening.
After 124 years, Caputo’s Bake Shop has baked its last loaf of Italian bread, taking a bittersweet step back from its history in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Owner James Caputo finds the emotions overwhelming as he prepares to close this family-run establishment, which has roots tracing back to his great-grandfather from Sicily who started it over a century ago.
“I’ve never cried since I was a kid, and I honestly thought that would never change,” Caputo, 54, shared, grappling with his difficult choice. “It’s tough, but there’s a relief that comes with it too.”
Caputo’s Bake Shop was a beloved landmark, a dream for bread lovers since the days of horse-drawn carriages, offering everything from crisp Italian bread to savory lard breads and delightful desserts.
“It feels like a piece of childhood has been taken away,” remarked Daniel Caminetti, a past resident and long-time customer.
Caputo, having faced the reality of long hours and the grueling pace of a baking business, has been contemplating this decision for quite some time. “After working 25 years non-stop, it was simply time,” he explained. “I used to start my shifts at 2 a.m. and missed so many family milestones.”
He added, “Bakeries understand why I’m closing. It’s a weighty decision.”
After deep reflection and discussions with his family, Caputo decided against passing down the bakery, acknowledging its deep-seated family legacy. They contemplated announcing the closure ahead of time, hoping to ease the transition.
“It’s the hardest choice I’ve ever faced,” he confessed, having grown up in bakeries and even living above one during his childhood. “At some point, I realized I had to take this step. It was now or never.” He recalled sitting at his computer to write his goodbye message, feeling the somber gravity of the moment.
On Monday, April 27, he shared a farewell letter, announcing the ovens had finally been turned off. “Last night marked our last night of baking,” he wrote.
A dozen shocked New Yorkers gathered at the bakery, expressing their admiration and sadness. “My life hasn’t felt the same since,” Caputo noted, reflecting on the heartfelt messages he received from community members whose lives were intertwined with the bakery.
Food critic Helen Rosner described Caputo’s as “the quintessential Italian bakery,” showcasing how deeply it had woven itself into the fabric of the neighborhood.
“Please, reconsider!”
Even neighboring Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen Catholic Parish recognized the bakery’s significance, posting on Instagram, “For many generations, this was more than just a bakery. You could taste the love in every creation, marking family traditions.”
Caminetti reminisced about enjoying lard bread from a young age, sharing details of family meals with Caputo’s delicious offerings being a staple.
“It’s like that saying, ‘We cry with bread under our arms,’ but now we’re just crying,” she lamented.
Chef Joe Isodori, who profiled the bakery in his book, reminisced about the special atmosphere, noting the bakery’s charm and the sense of community it fostered. “It was always more than just buying bread. It was where neighbors gathered.”
Caputo added that deciding to close was particularly tough since business was thriving.
The key to longevity
When Caputo’s great-grandfather arrived in the U.S., the bakery was among many in the area. “I remember my dad talking about there being about 15 bakeries right here,” he recalled.
Initially, the shop focused on basic bread types, but over time, as other bakeries shut down, Caputo’s adapted and expanded its offerings.
“I think that’s what kept us going,” he reflected, as croissants and desserts joined the bread selection. He confessed he never imagined he’d run the shop one day, thinking it was a path he’d avoid. “I wanted a different life.”
However, by his mid-twenties, he found himself pulled back into the family business. “I convinced everyone I should take over, and that’s when we really built it,” he said.
Caputo also expanded their delivery services, providing bread to local delis and restaurants.
Now, he’s looking forward to spending more time with his wife and kids, noting how supportive his wife has been through long working hours that often kept him away during family events.
“I missed so many of my older sons’ games,” he said. “Ultimately, I wanted to prioritize family time. That’s why I made this decision.”
With the business behind him, he’s even planning a surprise trip to Europe for his wife, something they haven’t done since their honeymoon in the ’90s.
“I haven’t told her yet,” Caputo chuckled. “But just so you know, it might be better for her to discover it in your article.”
