By Kevin Canessa Jr.
Observer Correspondent
KEARNY –
If you’ve ever driven past Brother’s Quality Bakery- Deli late at night, chances are you’ve smelled that incredible scent coming from the ovens. If you pause for a second right now, you can probably recall just how great an aroma it is.
And if you’ve ordered a sandwich of any kind — especially that Taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwich — you’ve probably had it on a roll made at Brother’s.
And yet, in a real sense, Brother’s Bakery is so much more than just its bread. And it’s been that way for close to 40 years now.
“We offer some of the finest French and Italian breads available,” said Brother’s general manager Jackie Diaz. “We also offer cakes for any occasion, custom-made cakes, 3-D cakes and more — and we always use the freshest ingredients. Never anything frozen.”
Brother’s is also known for distributing its well-loved bread throughout the region.
“We distribute all over,” Diaz said. “We have customers in Scotch Plains, customers in New York City — all over really.”
Brother’s also recently made the decision to reopen its deli.
“We had had a deli before but stopped,” Diaz said. “But our customers told us they wanted the deli back. They always use our breads for their sandwiches, so it made sense that if they came here, they could do it all in one stop. And we love our customers for it.
“Many people come in, start off with a cup of coffee, then get a sandwich — and then finish things off with dessert.”
Diaz says customers can get all kinds of sandwiches made, including paninis and wraps.
Thomas Gencarelli and his family have owned Brother’s since the day its doors opened in 1976. It was Tommy, Nick and Frank Gencarelli who started the business. And now Tommy runs the bakery with Diaz.
Diaz says she and Tommy are grateful for their loyal customers who keep coming back, day in and day out, year in and year out.
“We really do appreciate our customers’ support,” she said. “We always try our best to provide the best quality products — and it’s our hope we continue to do so for many years to come.”
Considering how many people across the country ask on Facebook about having bread delivered to them — including many in Florida — it makes sense Brother’s will continue to be one of Kearny’s greatest and longest- standing businesses for a long time to come.
Said one Facebook fan: “Good morning Brother’s Bakery. I would like to recommend that you ship your hard rolls out of state to Florida by prepaid special request.”
Brother’s Bakery is located at 365 Kearny Ave., at Liberty St., Kearny. For information, call 201-991-4364 or find them on Facebook at www.facebook. com/BrothersQuality- BakeryNJ. Hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday; and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
