Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/588468
When you think of Montilio's Baking Company of the South Shore, your first thought is to go to all of the delicious aromas and tastes, which is completely natural. After all, you don't get to be one of the most respected and successful baking companies in the state without serving an excellent product day in and day out, since 1947. With four convenient retail stores located in Braintree, Brockton, Quincy and Weymouth, Montilio's also facilitates wholesale restaurants and hotels. Adding in a delivery network of company vans that deliver fresh, baked goods on a daily basis to the Greater Boston area seven days per week, as well as to countless offices and events on Cape Cod, Montilio's begins with the company tradition of keeping the business open seven days per week, 365 days per year. Not only has Montilio's been a premier bakery and cake shop for nearly 70 years but, owner George Montilio is proving that it is a business that you can keep all in the family. "Our key focus is and has always been that we are an on-demand bakery," says Montilio. "All of our products are freshly made on a daily basis. Everything thing we do is by hand. We don't use any machinery." By doing things the old-fashioned way, by hand, Montilio's products are guaranteed to have the best taste and texture. Taking over for his father, who was known as sort of the celebrity baker of the area in his time, George has continued a tradition of world- class wedding cakes and pastries that are requested by his loyal customers daily. With a huge demand for specialty items, including countless wedding cakes, Montilio's employs a talented team of bakers, decorators and artists, who put in the effort to keep the company going strong after all these years. Of course, having two extremely talented and driven daughters come in with their own ideas has also been instrumental in the company's success. After graduating from college and first working in other fields and stores, Jenna entered the family business with a key management background. Her "Freshness is key" mentality goes a long way in keeping with the family history. Not only has she and her sister, Elissa, been a big part of Montilio's success with cakes and pastries but, they are also implementing new ideas into the family business. This includes adding a variety of coffee flavors, as well as crafting specialty pizzas and deli offerings in their Braintree and Quincy locations. Also entering with a different background from the family business, including running campaigns for the State Treasurer, Elissa entered the company with a keen eye for marketing. Where Jenna can run the business with a strong sense of structural consistency, Elissa can work on networking and reaching out to customers and clients. Montilio's Baking Company: Keeping It All In the Family Since 1947 by Rob Kelley 53 The first Montilio's, 1947 Quincy, MA, Founders Ernest an Carolyn Montilio