Awrey bakeries saved by last-minute deal, to remain open

An iconic Livonia bakery won't have to close its doors after all. With much of its assets on the auction block, Awrey Bakery had been planning to sell and close its doors after more than a century of operation. But on Wednesday the owner of Mini Marie Bakery Inc. based in Midland, Michigan stepped up and purchased Awrey.

Owner John Awrey says baking has been a family tradition. "My grandfather took it door to door in the streets of Detroit. And then my father, Bob Awrey had an opportunity to put it into retail." A lot of sweet memories, and rich history that John Awrey thought was going away.

The 103-year-old bakery on Farmington Road in Livonia was planning to sell everything and layoff it's employees, but then a man from Midland decided to jump in and save the company in the 11th hour.

Mini Marie Bakery spokesman Jim McColgan says, "We're here for a long time and we're going to be a strong viable company. And we're going to produce as many jobs here as possible."

That's good news for more than 157 current employees. And there's plenty of work to be done. The last few weeks they've been getting for a closing auction, now they're gearing up for full production.

John Awrey said,  "there were some different things going on in the plant right now that need to be put back into shape, but it won't take long at all and we look forward to again serve."

Customers also eating up the sweet news saying they're happy the tradition will continue.

Awrey was founded in Detroit in 1910 and moved to Livonia in the 1970s. Its products can be found at local grocers.

Online: www.awrey.com