Heritage Is In Production

By ANGELA DELGADO The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 3, 2008

TOWN - 'N COUNTRY - When Alessi Bakeries owner Phil Alessi looks at pictures of his family on the wall in his office, he is filled with inspiration and pride.

"I look at that wall quite often, and I admire them," he said. "They hung in there, and with determination and persistence they survived."

That resolve lives in Alessi, and the attributes helped him and his company open a 100,000-square-foot plant at 5404 Eagle Trail Drive. Although the facility has been in use since December, a grand opening was held April 25.

The plant is a hub of activity, with large mixers, assembly lines, ovens and decorating stations and the aromas of sugar and flour. Alessi goods that are sold in bakeries of supermarket chains such as Publix and Food Lion are manufactured at the plant and shipped to 42 states.

Alessi products include baked goods such as flans, cheesecakes, tiramisu and brownies. One customer favorite is the scacciata, a Sicilian cheese pie. Many products carry the Alessi name, but some stores have a private-label agreement with the company and place their names on Alessi products.

The plant "is a tribute to the Alessi heritage, how hard they worked; this is the end result," said Alessi, 63.

Nicolo Alessi opened Alessi Bakery in 1912 on Cherry Street in Tampa. In 1920, he moved his family back to Italy, but returned to Tampa in 1925 and reopened Alessi Bakery on Howard Avenue, according to the family biography.

"He came from Italy and was in the bakery business in Italy," Alessi said. "He came here and thought that was a business he could do well. He had five children, and they worked really hard. The reason we're here today is because of them. That's an inspiration to me."

Phil Alessi's father, John, was the "second generation of Alessi bakers," the biography says. Phil Alessi worked next to his father at age 6, he said, and in 1970 he bought the family out and took over the business.

"I'm still in love with it," he said. "My wife says the bakery is the other woman. I do enjoy it, and I have a passion for what I'm doing."

Although the Alessi family once had six bakeries, only one remains, at 2909 W. Cypress St. Alessi downsized to one store about 15 years ago and began producing goods for supermarkets and catering companies.

During the plant's celebration April 25, Alessi welcomed family, friends and associates who helped make his business a success. About 325 guests signed in at the event, where they enjoyed desserts and finger foods before touring the facility.

"I feel great," Alessi said at the opening. "It's one of the happiest days of my life."

Dolores Velazquez, 79, of Tampa, was one of Alessi's guests. Velazquez said she is an old family friend and has known Phil Alessi since infancy. Velazquez used to work at the Howard Avenue bakery when she was in high school with friend Angie Messina, 81, also in attendance.

"It's nice to see the little ones grow like [Phil] has," Messina said. "Everyone in his family has had their share of being successful."

Gwen Pedregal, Phil Alessi's youngest sister, was also at the grand opening to support her brother.

"It's so wonderful," she said before the tour began. "He's worked very hard. I wish my parents were here to see this. He's accomplished a lot. It's almost overwhelming when you think of where he started."

The plant's opening not only provided Alessi with a new home for making the company's products, but also has provided him the space to move forward with his next venture: Alessi's Bakery and Cafe.

The cafe aims to compete with the likes of Panera Bread, offering deli foods, salads, grab-and-go products and hot sandwiches, Alessi said. The first one is scheduled to open in downtown Tampa, most likely on Franklin Street, in six to nine months, he said.

The products for the cafe will be produced at the new plant.

"That's been our vision," he said. The plan is to open "maybe two or three of them and hopefully grow from there. We're going to see how it goes."

When Alessi leaves the business, his ventures won't be taken over by his four children but by a board of trustees, a group he respects and admires.

Asked when that day will be, Alessi laughed and said, "When I die.

"I'm never going to retire," he said. "I never looked at this as work. When you're doing something that's a lot of fun, it really doesn't seem like work. When I walk through that [bakery] door, it's like walking into paradise."

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.