Gunn’s Bakery serves new chapter

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This article was published 02/01/2019 (2485 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Changes are coming to Gunn’s Bakery that will see someone outside the family tree take over the helm of the Selkirk Avenue mainstay that’s been serving up traditional kosher baking for more than 80 years.

Owner-operators Arthur and Bernie Gunn announced earlier this week 2019 will see them initiate a succession plan and finally step back from the day-to-day operations of the business that’s been in their family since it opened in 1937.

The changes will take effect immediately, the owners said.

“As 2018 comes to a close, we want to celebrate the 81 years that the Gunn family has been bringing traditional kosher baking to Winnipeg. It is now time for Bernie & (Arthur) to pass along their knowledge and expertise,” a written statement reads.

“2019 will be the start of a new chapter in the Gunn’s Bakery story. After much searching, they have found Jon Hochman, who will be taking over the day-to-day business.”

The bakery was opened in 1937 by Morris Gunn, the son of a Polish baker who immigrated to Canada in the 1920s. Morris, alongside his wife, found the location at 247 Selkirk Ave. — where it has been ever since — and opened up a bakery in the front of the property and moved the family into the back.

It was an early hit in the area, in large part because of the traditional European-style of baking Morris employed that was familiar to the largely immigrant neighbourhood that surrounded the store.

The medium-sized, full-range bakery specializes in serving up ethnic baked goods the same way they’ve been made since Day 1: by hand.

“(Arthur) will remain at the bakery to help (Hochman) and the Gunn’s team make the transition. Bernie will be starting a much-deserved retirement,” reads the statement.

“Business will continue as usual with the same employees you have come to know, the same excellent service you have come to expect and, most importantly, the same delicious products you have come to love.”

The Free Press reached the owners Monday night, who confirmed the news but said they could not give an interview at that time.

Morris died in 1973, and his sons have been involved in running the business ever since.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @rk_thorpe