Milano Bakery: 'Everybody Needs To Stay Calm'

JOLIET, IL —Located on the main gateway into downtown Joliet, Milano Bakery has been in business since 1915. Milano kept baking fresh loaves of bread and sweets during World War I, The Great Depression, World War II, Vietnam and other international crisis. Its latest challenge is growing concern about the spread of the new coronavirus.

On Monday, Will County confirmed that it had its first coronavirus case. By late afternoon Wednesday, Will County's number was at eight cases.

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"Right now, I think the biggest thing is that everybody needs to stay calm in these times. No knee-jerk reactions," Milano Bakery co-owner Darin DeBenedetti told Joliet Patch during Wednesday's interview.

This month's coronavirus concerns have put small American businesses — including Milano — in a tough spot.

But, Milano's owner is a voice of reason. He's cool, calm and collected.

"There's no need to be rushing to make bad decisions because we're assuming this is a short-term (ordeal)," remarked DeBenedetti, who co-owns the bakery with his brother, Mario.

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On the retail side, business sales are good of late.

Its owner says more people are purchasing Milano Vienna Bread at major grocery chains such as Jewel, Sam's Club and Berkot's Super Foods, among other places.

"Retail-wise, that has picked up, and certainly with bread," DeBenedetti said. "The stores are being wiped out so that's been a little challenging, and everybody is trying to adapt."

On the other spectrum, Milano has been negatively impacted by the coronavirus, like so many other small businesses across the country.

"A lot of curveballs came on us. Wholesale-wise, this has hurt us," DeBenedetti said.

Milano baked bread is normally sold to the airlines. "That is put on hold," DeBenedetti told Patch.

Milano also makes a specialty bread item for a Disneyland restaurant. Disney has closed all its theme parks in hopes of reducing the spread of the coronavirus across the U.S.

"So, that is put on hold," he said. "It's been a big hurt, but again, we can't overreact."

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Fortunately, with the increase in Vienna Bread sales at the supermarkets, Milano has not had to reduce its workforce. Joliet's 105-year-old bakery typically employs about 50 people, including several part-time employees.

"Everybody has been really understanding," DeBenedetti said.

The Milano Bakery owner has a message for Joliet-area residents during these uncertain times.

"Everybody has to be calm ... It's not going to be a depression; a depression, I think they say, it lasts like three years."

And, even if we face a short-term economic recession, DeBenedetti said, "I think it's gonna bounce back stronger than before."

Despite Wednesday morning's steady rains, a stream of regular customers entered Milano to order their sweets and pick up multiple loaves of freshly baked bread.

These customers were smiling, polite and pleasant. As they patiently waited their turn in line to pay for their orders, they chatted with one another.

Likewise, the Milano employees behind the bakery counter were cheerful and upbeat.

It was like everybody was on the same page: We're all going to get through this health crisis together here in Joliet.

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