Ninni’s Bakery, an Akron institution for more than 70 years, will close at the end of the year, owner Tony Ninni said today.
Ninni relocated the bakery to 1155 E. Tallmadge Ave. in December 1997. From 1945 through July 1997, Ninni’s father and uncle, Frank and Vince Ninni, ran the bakery on East Cuyahoga Falls Avenue. Their father, Anthony, started the business out of their home in Akron’s North Hill neighborhood in the 1930s, catering to the Italian immigrants that populated the neighborhood.
Ninni said he’s leaving on a happy note, grateful for the 16 years he’s had at the new location, but said he won’t be back. His sales figures have dropped to the point where it’s no longer feasible to keep the shop going, selling the kind of specialty Italian cakes and pastries that are the stars of his bakery cases: cassata cakes, cannoli, pignoli cookies and torroni nougat candy.
Ninni’s last day will be Dec. 30, and he is encouraging all customers who want anything for Christmas to place their orders early, at 330-634-0060.
