After 120 years in business, an iconic bread company has announced that it is ceasing operations.
Schwebel’s Baking Company is closing all of its stores, including right here in Erie.
Erie News Now has learned that the Schwebel’s Bakery Outlet on Perry Highway is set to close.
We’re told a total of 10 employees will be laid off.
The Youngstown, Ohio-based company recently announced its decision to liquidate, citing financial hardships and said it was unable to find a buyer.
Samantha Miller has worked as a clerk at the Erie-based Schwebel’s for the past 22 years.
She tells Erie News Now that the employees have been guaranteed jobs until July 4.
However, beyond that remains a mystery.
“What am I going to do now?” said Miller. “Being here that long, not even thinking of what I was going to do after this, this is where I’ve been and this is where I was going to stay, until I retired or could retire, so it’s more like, what do I do now?”
Schwebel’s has also been a major bread supplier to Giant Eagle.
Giant Eagle sent Erie News Now the following statement, in response to the company’s decision:
“We were saddened to learn of the planned closure of Schwebel Baking Company. Giant Eagle has enjoyed a strong partnership with Schwebel’s for many years.
Schwebel’s has been the source for both Schwebel’s-branded bread and our Giant Eagle-branded bread. Customers can be assured that a wide variety of bread options will continue to be available as we work to introduce additional value-oriented bread options in the near future.”