Mexican bakery closes after 50 years on Milwaukee's south side

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A family-owned Mexican bakery and restaurant that has been on Milwaukee's south side for the past five decades has announced it will close its doors next weekend.

"There's sadness, there's happiness, there's relief, there's, you know, there's a little apprehension... but in the end, you know, it's the right decision for us," said Jorge Lopez, the owner of Lopez Bakery and Restaurant.

It's the end of an era for the beloved store that's felt like home to a lot of Hispanic members in the community.

"A lot of people do, do know us," he said. "We have customers from all over the city."

It's been 50 years sharing original family recipes of traditional Mexican foods and baked goods.

"We've been getting a lot of responses, you know, a lot of, you know, farewells and 'sorry you're leaving,' and it's heartwarming, it makes one feel good and appreciated," Lopez added.

Lopez's parents immigrated from Mexico and founded the bakery in 1973. But since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he said it's been difficult to keep up with inflation and his family knew sooner or later, it would be time to close the local shop.

"This past year, it was a little bit more difficult with the high cost of inflation, the cost of inventory, the cost of goods, wages, everything went up," he explained.

Lopez Bakery and Restaurant's last day will be Sunday Jan. 14.

"La Casa de Pan, it's a local bakery, they're the ones who are going to take over and they're going to run a similar operation," Lopez said.

But before then, he told CBS 58 News the Lopez Bakery will make the famous crown-shaped sweet bread known as "Rosca de Reyes" for the Three Kings Day, with help from the new owners.

"This is 50 years, you know, in the making, so it's always going to be part of Milwaukee," he said.

Lopez wanted to thank the community for all the support his family has received throughout the years.