- Credibility:
BRIDGEPORT — The new owner of Bridgeport Bakery took to social media this week to dispel rumors the neighborhood favorite is shut down, saying the Archer Avenue shop is open and safe.
Owner Can Lao said it is true that two employees tested positive for coronavirus, sisters who work the front counter. But they were home sick for several days before being tested and the rest of the workers have since tested negative, Lao said.
Lao said the sisters were tested after finding out their uncle, who brings them groceries, tested positive.
“I told them to stay home and had the rest of our employees tested. Everyone came back negative,” Lao said.
He added that workers have been wearing masks for several weeks and they clean the counters and other spots inside the bakery, located at 2907 S. Archer Ave., every hour.
The bakery was closed Monday, causing rumors to swirl in the tight-knit neighborhood. But he said he changed the hours of his business.
“It was just a coincidence. I decided to close on Mondays for now because it’s been slow and I can’t afford to keep losing money on Mondays,” Lao said. “I think we have a couple haters on social media.”
Lao addressed the rumors in a Facebook post on Tuesday, informing the community of what happened and writing that his bakery has been disinfected as a precaution and that the two employees who tested positive have not worked for more than a week. He said the workers gave him permission to share their status.
The bakery’s former owner, Ron Pavelka, closed the business in October after nearly 50 years in the neighborhood. But Lao, a pharmacist who has lived in Bridgeport for two decades, jumped at the chance to bring back his favorite bakery.
He bought it from Pavelka, who showed him the ropes. It re-opened in January.
Bridgeport Bakery is now open 5 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Credit: Bob Chiarito/Block Club Chicago 
