For more than 30 years, the Bruno family has called Gary home, and as their new bakery location opens, they plan to continue calling the city home.
“We’ve been here — me and my wife — in the city for so long,” said Ronald Bruno, owner of Organic Bread of Heaven. “We’re so appreciative of the city and what it’s given us.”
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton and Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales help the Bruno family cut a ribbon for the grand opening of Organic Bread of Heaven’s new bakery in the city. The Bruno family has lived in Gary for about 30 years. (Maya Wilkins/Post-Tribune)
Bruno and his family, on Friday morning, celebrated the grand opening of Organic Bread of Heaven’s new location in Gary. Organic Bread of Heaven is a USDA-certified organic business that provides baked goods that are dairy, nut, sesame, egg and soy free, according to its website, ovenfreshdelivery.com.
The new bakery is at 437 Bridge Street in Gary, and the family owns another location at 2700 W. 5th Ave.
Bruno said Friday that the family started their business when his wife, Pamela, began baking bread for sandwiches at a nutrition store owned by the family. The bread grew in popularity, and the Bruno family began baking loaves for people who are interested and want a healthier alternative to grocery store bread.
Since then, the business has grown to also bake pies, sourdough bread, tortillas, bagels and more.
Organic Bread of Heaven customers can place orders online or call in, and orders must be placed by Sunday at midnight for baking and shipping during the same week. Orders placed by Sunday at midnight will be baked and shipped on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, according to the website, and later orders will be held until the following week. (Christin Nance Lazerus/Post-Tribune)
The Bruno family didn’t expect the popularity of Organic Bread of Heaven, Bruno said, but he’s excited to see people embrace the bakery.
“We had 3,500 people RSVP that they would be here today,” Bruno said. “And our first thought was, ‘Oh no!’ But we’re entirely grateful.”
Customers can place orders online or call in, and orders must be placed by Sunday at midnight for baking and shipping during the same week. Orders placed by Sunday at midnight will be baked and shipped on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, according to the website, and later orders will be held until the following week.
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton spoke during Friday’s grand opening, saying that he’s seen Organic Bread of Heaven since he was a teenager, but he didn’t stop into the location at 2700 W. 5th Ave. until last year.
“I came in and introduced myself to the parents, and ever since we met, it’s been such a blessing,” Melton said. “So, I just thank you for being part of the scene for such a long time.”
Melton also told grand opening attendees that the event signified more than a new location for Organic Bread of Heaven.
“This is a powerful statement about the growing economic vitality of the city,” he said. “I think you all can see, too, that almost every week the past month, we’ve been flipping dirt or cutting ribbons.”
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales was also at Friday’s grand opening, and both Melton and Bruno thanked him for his participation. Morales congratulated the Bruno family on the new bakery location and said that it’s indicative of Indiana’s story of business and growth.
“Thank you for investing in the future of the Hoosier state,” Morales said. “Please note you always have a partner in the Indiana Secretary of State office. … I look forward to seeing the incredible things you accomplish, and I know your success will inspire others across the state, across the country, and across the great city of Gary to start their own businesses.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/gary-bakery-celebrates-opening-of-its-newest-location/
