Livonia, MI — Heritage Bakery, located at 37458 Five Mile Road, is abuzz on a typical weekday morning, with patrons eagerly queuing up for their favorite doughnuts. The aroma of freshly baked treats greets visitors as they step into the quaint establishment, setting the stage for a delightful culinary experience.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Heritage Bakery has become a local institution with a remarkable legacy. Under the stewardship of John Goci, who assumed ownership in May, the bakery continues to flourish, boasting one of the most devoted customer bases in Goci’s extensive experience.
Engaging with patrons during their purchases, Goci often hears heartwarming tales of multi-decade loyalty or customers traveling over half an hour for a taste of their cherished doughnuts. He takes pride in steering the destiny of this beloved establishment and feels a profound responsibility to uphold its longstanding reputation.
Reflecting on the bakery’s four-decade journey, Goci remarked, “It’s amazing it’s been around for 40 years. For me coming in and taking over this great bakery, I didn’t want to be the guy who shut it down. People cherish this place.”
The roots of Heritage Bakery trace back to 1983 when Vic and Lidija Vangelov, both in their mid-20s with two young children, opened the establishment. Faced with economic challenges and impending layoffs, Vic, having worked at a bakery in his youth, leveraged his baking skills to establish a bakery, ensuring financial stability for their family.
After 35 years at the helm, the Vangelovs, due to personal reasons, decided to pass the baton. Goci, a real estate agent, stepped in as the new proprietor, initially with a business partner who, unfortunately, fell ill. Currently, Goci manages the bakery with the support of his partners, Angel and Lynda Haska.
Running a bakery demands hard work, a sentiment echoed by Lidija Vangelov, who recalled the grueling hours she and her husband put in during the early days. The current staff mirrors this dedication, bustling around the shop, offering delectable sweets, and baking fresh breads.
“The bakery business needs two things: Good recipes and hard work,” emphasized Goci. “It’s a lot of work. When we sell out of something, we’re making more. It’s a never-ending cycle.”
Among the bakery’s standout offerings are handmade pretzels, doughnuts, and pasties, which enjoy immense popularity. Heritage Bakery also extends its generosity by donating unsold doughnuts to nearby charities, hospitals, and police departments.
At Heritage Bakery, every confection is crafted with love, a tradition Goci is determined to preserve for years to come. “My goal is to keep the customers happy,” he affirmed. “I’ve never seen such a loyal group of customers.” As Heritage Bakery continues to define itself as a cherished community landmark, its sweet legacy seems destined to endure.