NewHavenBIZ

26 n e w h a v e n B I Z | A p r i l 2 0 2 3 | n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m W h a t ' s T h e D e a l By Hanna Snyder Gambini T he delightful aroma of fresh- baked bread will soon fill the air in North Haven when A&M Bronx Bakery moves its headquarters, operations and eventually a new retail storefront to Devine Street. A&M Bronx Baking Inc. and company President Peter Andolino purchased two industrial parcels at 50 and 60 Devine St., for $5.1 million in early February. e bakery will move from its current 19,000-square-foot operation in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., to the 42,500-square-foot industrial building that sits on 6 acres in North Haven. e land deal also included more than 9 acres of adjacent undeveloped land that Andolino said could be prime for future expansion or development. A&M has specialized in traditional, contemporary and custom breads since 1945, distributing products across the U.S. and into the Caribbean. Andolino said Bronx-style bread is a crustier, hearth bread. e company ships fresh bread throughout New England and the tri-state area, from Boston to Rhode Island, Montauk, South Jersey and Westchester County, N.Y. Nardelli's sandwich shops and numerous restaurants, including Portofino's in New Haven, along with various ShopRite locations around Connecticut serve A&M bread. e company also ships frozen bread products throughout the U.S. A&M has outgrown its small facility in New York, and Andolino knew he wanted to relocate in the Greater New Haven area. Andolino expects the North Haven bakery to be up and running in about a year's time. He is currently working to get the new facility set up, and working with town officials, who he said have been tremendously helpful. "North Haven has a very pro- business atmosphere, they understand our needs and try to address them, like how to work the permit process," Andolino said. North Haven Mayor Michael J. Freda said attracting new businesses to town has been one of his top priorities, and he anticipates the bakery bringing a boost to economic development. He's pleased to welcome this family business that has been part of the fabric of New York for generations, since starting in the Bronx and then moving to Westchester County. Freda said he met with Andolino about five months ago when he was looking for properties with broker Matthew O'Hare of Coldwell Banker Real Estate's New Haven office. When A&M was interested in the property, North Haven officials "rolled out the red carpet," Freda said, touting the town's favorable mill rate, easy access to major highways and a prospective new train station a block away. Andolino agreed that North Haven's highway access, facility inventory and infrastructure made the Devine Street location ideal. e Greater New Haven area also has an abundance of trades workers, like machine shops, truck repair and welding, which are crucial when running an operation like a large-scale bakery, he said. Michael Richetelli, president and designated broker of Orange-based Colonial Properties Inc., represented the seller in the deal. Richetelli said this North Haven site was "highly sought aer by many prospective purchasers, as there continues to be a lack of inventory in the light industrial market. e property is exceptionally well located and features a modern light industrial facility with 24-foot clear ceiling height and has the benefit of additional acreage for future expansion/development, making it ideal for the buyer's needs." e bakery relocation effort is in the beginning stages, with owners looking to renovate the site for their needs, and ordering specialty equipment from the US and overseas. A&M officials conducted a pre- development meeting with multiple town departments, from building and fire to planning and zoning, to build "a great foundation for moving forward." Freda connected Andolino with United Illuminating and Southern Connecticut Gas, since A&M will be "a significant customer" for electricity, gas and water. e undertaking is an intense capital investment – a multi-million dollar investment, Andolino said – and it will be about 8-12 months before the new bakery is up and running. But once it is, the building will be "a brand new facility that will look different than what we see there now," Freda said. e new North Haven facility will N.Y. bakery readies new North Haven headquarters A&M Bronx Bakery has purchased this industrial building at 50 Devine St., North Haven. PHOTOS | COSTAR The owners of A&M Bronx Bakery purchased an industrial warehouse for its new bakery operation along with 9 acres of vacant land for possible future development.

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