Beloved Framingham Bakery, Pizza Shop To Close After More Than A Century

FRAMINGHAM, MA — A local bakery that’s been hand-producing bread, rolls and sheet pizzas for over a century is preparing to turn off its ovens for good.

Framingham Baking Co. began in 1917 when three family members, all Italian immigrants, opened the shop at 840 Waverly St. in the city’s Coburnville neighborhood. Now the business plans to close March 29, according to a Facebook post.

The post shows a sign saying “The End of an Era” and thanks employees and customers for their patronage. Signing the message are “Joan, Ernie and Kathy” – three grandchildren of a family member who took on the business soon after its launch.

It’s not clear why Framingham Baking is ending its 109-year-old run. In October, the company tried to dispel rumors it was about to shut down, but said in post, “We welcome suggestions on how to improve our business or in interest in becoming the next stewards of our business. When we make a decision on our future, you will be the first to know.”

The bakery also has branches in Holliston and Marlborough. The company didn't respond immediately to questions about how many employees might be affected by the closure.

Framingham Baking makes bread, rolls and desserts, but may be best known for its pizza, which comes in 18-square-slice sheets – and over two dozen flavors.

By late Tuesday, news of the closure had attracted over 1,800 reactions on Facebook.

One post said: “I really hope you make a cookbook or at least sell us the pizza recipe! Thanks for 40 years of feeding me and my family!”