News Summary
Jacksonville has a rich bakery history marked by the operations of significant players like A&P and Ambrosia. From expansive bakeries to small establishments, each contributed to the local culinary landscape, reflecting shifts in consumer habits and market dynamics. This article explores the evolution of these bakeries and their lasting impact on the community.
Jacksonville has a rich history of iconic bakeries that have come and gone, reflecting the rise and fall of significant players in the food industry. Among the most notable was the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P), founded in 1859 by George Gilman in New York City. Initially named Gilman & Company, it was rebranded as A&P a decade later. By 1930, A&P had become the world’s largest retailer, generating $2.9 billion in annual sales and operating over 16,000 stores. It was culturally significant, akin to today’s major brands like Walmart or Google, holding the title of largest U.S. retailer until 1965.
A&P’s southeastern headquarters was established in Jacksonville, principally due to its logistical advantages. The location’s proximity to rail access for raw materials and central distribution for truck deliveries made it an ideal choice. The company’s industrial-scale bakery in Jacksonville was completed in 1932, a fireproof structure with reinforced concrete and efficient shipping access via Atlantic Coast Line Railroad siding. This facility not only produced bread but also featured a coffee roasting plant renowned for its Eight O’Clock Coffee.
However, A&P began to decline following World War II as it struggled against rising market competition and shifting retail trends. The company’s operations in Jacksonville took a significant turn in 1968 when A&P moved most of its distribution functions to a new warehouse on Hilton Street, now occupied by Sysco Foods International. Although A&P experienced a brief resurgence in the early 2000s, it ultimately ceased operations by 2015, after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010 and again in 2015. The Jacksonville bakery and division headquarters closed around 1977, with the site being demolished in 2000.
Another notable bakery in Jacksonville’s history is the Ambrosia Cake Bakeries Corporation. Initially founded by E.L. Bordo in 1928 in a former potato chip facility built by E.L. Green’s Sunshine Potato Chip Company in 1925, Ambrosia specialized in fresh cakes. The company expanded and was sold to Earle P. Colby, who focused on the wholesale distribution of highly perishable cakes. In 1954, the Interstate Bakeries Corporation (IBC) acquired Ambrosia, marking its entry into the southern market and generating $1.5 million in sales. IBC expanded the operation into a larger facility, producing cakes under both the Ambrosia and Dolly Madison brands, with distribution reaching from Key West to Washington, D.C. Eventually, IBC transformed into Hostess Brands, incorporating famous products like Hostess and Wonder Bread.
In 1956, brothers Clayton and Willard Smith repurposed the former Ambrosia building for their bicycle business, Clayton-Willard Bicycles, which gained recognition for the Emory beach cruiser. Along a similar timeline, American Bakeries was established in 1910 from a merger and built a Merita Bread bakery in Jacksonville by the early 1920s. After being acquired by IBC in 1988, the bakery expanded into a modern facility in 1994, producing 168 loaves of bread per minute. Although Flowers Foods intended to acquire Hostess Brands in 2013, the North Jacksonville facility remained closed post-acquisition.
Dixie Darlings Bakery, which operated under Winn-Dixie, serves as another key player in Jacksonville’s bakery history. Originally a part of the Suwannee Food & Baking Company established in 1931, it closed in the mid-1980s, and the site is presently listed for sale. Notably, Nesbit Restaurant, established in 1961 by Nathan Nesbit after leaving A&P, has remained a continuous presence in Jacksonville. Specializing in freshly baked donuts and seafood, Nesbit’s initially operated as a 24-hour establishment and remains recognized for its cash-only fried seafood offerings, despite economic changes and neighborhood declines.
The evolution of bakeries in Jacksonville illustrates not only the changes in consumer habits and market dynamics over the years but also the significant impact of these businesses on the local community. From the expansive operations of A&P to the enduring presence of Nesbit Restaurant, each bakery has played a vital role in the culinary narrative of Jacksonville.
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Additional Resources
- The Jaxson Mag: Jacksonville’s Wholesale Baking Legacy
- Wikipedia: Bakery
- The Jaxson Mag: The Historic Coffee Roasters of Jacksonville
- Google Search: Jacksonville bakeries
- The Jaxson Mag: The Story of Nesbit’s Donut Sandwich Shop
- Google Scholar: Jacksonville bakery history
- Al.com: Former Jacksonville State Defensive End Chris Hardie Headed to SEC School
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baking
- Jacksonville.com: Today in Jacksonville History
- Google News: Jacksonville food history
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
