Lopez Bakery closing, but its 50-year legacy will live on in Milwaukee's south side community

The Lopez family knows the lessons that come from hard work, resilience and grit. But its most important recent lesson has been knowing when to let go.

After a 50-year run, Lopez Bakery and Restaurant is closing its doors at 1100 W. Historic Mitchell St. on Jan. 14.

While the bakery's closing will leave a dent in Milwaukee's south side community, it's a milestone for owners Jorge and Cindy Lopez, as well as a time to rest and reflect.

“I was so happy that we made it to 50 years, because there's not that many Hispanic business owners that have made it that long,” Cindy Lopez said.

How Lopez Bakery started in Milwaukee

The bakery is a chapter in the story of the American dream.

Jose Lopez, Jorge’s father, arrived in the U.S. from Mexico in 1966 with $20 in his pocket. He spent a year in Chicago working odd jobs before moving to Milwaukee in 1967. Jose worked at bakeries throughout the city and, in 1973, opened his own bakery in a rented space inside a grocery store near S. 5th Street and W. Bruce Street.

Two years later, Jose Lopez opened his first standalone storefront at S. 3rd Street and W. Lapham Blvd.

Jose went on to open several more locations — on National Avenue; in the Grand Avenue Mall, what's now the 3rd Street Market Hall; and at 16th Street and Lincoln Avenue.

In 1992, Jose Lopez opened the current location on Historic Mitchell Street.

Lopez Bakery was one of the first Hispanic businesses to establish itself on Milwaukee’s south side.

“At the time, you don’t realize the impact of that,” Jorge Lopez said. “In the past years, we have been a significant influence in the baking scene here in the south side.”

Bakers whose first jobs were at Lopez Bakery have gone on to open their own bakeries.

“We’re a community that’s in transition,” Jorge Lopez said. “You see a lot of change that happens every couple of decades … but the south side will still always have a Latin flavor to it.”

Lopez Bakery has been part of the fabric of Milwaukee's south side

Many people in Milwaukee’s south side were raised on Lopez Bakery.

For customers like Fidel Martinez, it was a place of gathering and part of a morning routine. For the last 22 years, Martinez has started his mornings at Lopez Bakery at least three times a week. He sits on the far right corner of the bakery and is on a first-name basis with most of the staff.

Hildeliza Ramirez came to Lopez Bakery for the first time with her aunt and cousin in 2006 after moving from Puerto Rico. She’s made it part of her routine over the years.

Lourdez Hernandez-Lopez has worked at Lopez Bakery since 2002. She had recently moved from Honduras and was looking for a job. Having gone to college in Honduras, her parents at first weren't excited that she took a job at a bakery. At the time, the only job available at Lopez Bakery was making tamales.

But she learned quickly and eventually took on other duties. She also learned to speak English quickly and practiced with customers who were happy to help her.

Now, Hernandez-Lopez eagerly greets customers, takes orders and takes on any tasks necessary at the bakery. She said she grew as a person and formed connections with customers that she'll always cherish.

“All my life, I’ve always loved working with people,” she said.

Tough times lead to the Lopez family's decision to let go

Last February, when Jorge and Cindy faced a series of “unforeseen circumstances,” including broken equipment and the death of Cindy’s nephew, the community came together to keep the bakery afloat.

Steve Ozbolt, the co-owner of Emerald City Catering, organized a “Pay as You May” brunch fundraiser. Ozbolt, who grew up in Milwaukee’s south side, didn’t want to see the business close so abruptly.

"We want to make sure that this isn't how it ended for them," Ozbolt said at the time.

It wasn't the end. Lopez Bakery was able to stay open.

But, a few weeks after Cindy’s nephew died, his father — Cindy’s brother — died. A few months after that, Amparo Lopez, the mother of Jorge Lopez and wife of Jose Lopez, died, too.

Cindy said she didn't take time to grieve and fell into a depression.

“I couldn’t get myself out of it,” she said. “And a lot of the responsibilities went to my husband, which isn’t fair.”

Coming to the decision to close wasn't easy, Cindy said. After a tough conversation with Jorge, they mutually decided it was time to let go.

Their recipes will live on, though, at another bakery — La Casa Del Pan, at 2131 S. Muskego Ave.

The hardest part for Cindy is having to say goodbye to customers and staff.

“It’s going to hit me. I know Lourdez and I are going to be a mess because she’s not just my employee, she’s my family. She’s been here forever.”

Working together and, now, looking ahead

When Cindy married Jorge, she didn't expect to work in a bakery most of her life.

But the two had fun working together, even during the inevitable arguments that come along with working with your spouse.

"I learned that, no matter what happens, it will always be OK," Cindy Lopez said. "In the end, I can worry and worry about it, but it eventually works out."

Now, Cindy and Jorge are eager to have more freedom to travel and see their son in Michigan.

"We just want to do the things that we couldn't do because we were always working," Cindy said.

They know their business will live on in Milwaukee's heart.

“It's a legacy and it's a staple in the community of the south side," Cindy said. “Everybody knows Lopez Bakery."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee's Lopez Bakery closing but leaves 50-year legacy