When I found out Scialo Brothers Bakery had reopened, knew I had to get over there as soon as possible.

They were after all in business since 1916, that’s over 105 years — and we almost lost them forever !!!

Not only did my mom grow up on “The Hill” (the three decker tenement house where she lived with her family is long gone), but I can remember as a kid going to Scialo’s with my Auntie Betty, my mom’s older sister who was literally like a 2nd mother to us. 

She would go whenever she needed the best Italian pastry or cakes for entertaining lunch or dinner guests, or to pick up sfogliatella (a traditional sweet with an outer pastry “shell” with a layered look and cream filling) to bring over her oldest brother Tullio’s house. 

Yesterday afternoon we picked up some anisette cookies (which originated in southern Italy), wine biscuits, spinach pies, and sliced Italian bread.

They were sold out of sfogliatella (for old time’s sake) and lemon squares (a fave of my mom’s) but they told me I could call ahead next time to try to reserve or order in advance. 

People also swear by their custom cakes btw. I know so many RI’ers who over the years would insist on made-to-order birthday cakes from 257 Atwells.

Another big upgrade? You can order ahead and do curbside pick-up.

Or — and this is MAJOR — park in their lot adjacent to the bakery which offers 15 minutes of free parking for their customers only. (Parking on Federal Hill can be, shall we say, challenging especially right now with everyone flocking to Venda on DePasquale Square and other nearby eateries for some al fresco wining and dining.)

Scialo’s is at 257 Atwells Avenue in Providence. And yes, you can also find them on Instagram @ScialoBrosBakery.

As always, if you go after reading this, please let them know you learned of their reopening here via Patty J and PattyJ.com.