Simply drive along the westbound side of Kirkwood Highway in Elsmere and you can smell how a local family-owned business has survived for over 65 years. On any given morning or afternoon, you’ll smell the bread, rolls, doughnuts, cookies and other delights at Serpe’s Bakery, which has stood in the same spot since 1952. It may be difficult to associate technology with something as ancient as the art of baking, but Serpe’s marries the two.
“Computers, tablets and handhelds have been introduced in each department of the bakery, and we have more automated equipment to allow for increased production throughout,” Marketing and Technical Support Manager Nick Serpe said. He noted that its recipes have merely been tweaked over the decades, while the equipment has innovated. “Technology has also allowed generating data and financial information in a shorter amount of time. With increased production in a shorter amount of time, a wider variety of products can be introduced.”
Serpe’s offers discounts to schools, churches, volunteer groups, senior centers and local carnivals and festivals annually, as well as to Meals on Wheels daily. But they also offer a discount program for customers, in which points are generated with each purchase, and 60 points earns a discount on any item in the bakery. Plus, new customers get a free doughnut
Business Briefing
Headquarters: 1411 Kirkwood Highway, Elsmere
Founded:
1952
Industry: Bakery
Number of employees: 45
Number of family members: 7
On the Web: http://www.serpesbakery.com
