Milano Turns 109: Fresh Bread Only $1.09 To Celebrate

JOLIET — One of Joliet's most beloved businesses, a downtown bakery that has created millions of loaves of fresh bread, pastries and more has scaled back its retail prices as a token of appreciation toward its customers, as Milano Bakery marks its 109th anniversary in Joliet.

"Milano Bakery’s retail shop brings the taste of old world traditions to your family’s table," the Milano website proclaims.

From Aug. 10 through Aug. 24, the Milano bakery at 433 S. Chicago St. in downtown Joliet is selling its "Fresh Milano Bread For Only $1.09," the sign reads. Included in the sale are the 4-inch French rolls, which come in a bag of six. The eight-packs of hot dog buns and hamburger buns are also marked down to $1.09 during the two-week-long birthday celebration.

Customers are limited to two packs.

Normally, Milano sells the French rolls, hamburger and hot dog buns for $3.66 per pack.

Nowadays, Milano Bakery is led by brothers and co-owners Darin and Mario DeBenedetti.

Darin said there are at least eight family members who work at the family bread business. He's thrilled that Milano has lasted for 109 years in Joliet.

"Growing up here as a kid and walking from my grandpa's house, I could walk from his kitchen into the bread plant," Darin reminisced.

As far as Milano Bakery turning 109 years old, "I think he would be proud," Darin said of his grandfather.

Milano Bakery is distributed across the United States and has an exclusive contract with Disney. Milano makes a specialty bread item for a Disneyland restaurant in California. Most Joliet Patch readers are accustomed to purchasing Milano Bread at their local grocery stores.

In addition to the positive attention Milano is garnering from its $1.09 birthday sale, Darin said he's working on another retail project he hopes to introduce shortly.

"We have our 2 pound panini bread," Darin explained. "We're working on coming out with a 1 pound panini bread for families."

The 2-pound panini bread is sold at a handful of Joliet area meat markets.

"The 2-pound (panini) is a lot for families," Darin pointed out. "This (1-pound panini bread) would just be for grocery stores."

As far as the family business, Darin said he's lucky to have so many dedicated and hard-working employees, including his 28-year-old niece and goddaughter, Genna Shaw.

"My niece has done an amazing job in pastries," Darin remarked. "She went to JJC (culinary arts program) and I think, hands down, she's our best."

"We just started our fifth generation," Darin told Joliet Patch this week. "Our son Drake had a baby girl."

As far as the ongoing tw0-week-long $1.09 bread sale at the downtown Joliet bakery, customers are reminded that their orders are limited to two each.

"We wish we could do more," Darin said. "We always give a good price for in-store specials, so it's always half-price for your first two of anything on the shelf."

Milano Bakery is open to retail customers six days a week.

The South Chicago Street bakery on the gateway into Joliet's downtown opens at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and stays open until 1 p.m. On Saturday, Milano is open from 6 a.m. to noon.