Residents of Jackson Parish were shocked this past week when Traina’s Bakery owners, Bruce and Toni Thomas, announced that December 24th would be the last day the the iconic bakery, restaurant and grocery will be open. Sadly, after 83 years of being a staple of the Jonesboro business community and a local favorite for bakery goods and fine daytime dining the doors will be closed.
In saying good-bye, Bruce and Toni submitted the following statement.
A Heartfelt Farewell
Dear Valued Customers and Jackson Parish Community,
It is after many, many prayers and careful consideration that we are writing with a heavy heart to announce the closure of Traina’s Bakery. Tuesday, December 24th will mark our final day of operation after 83 incredible years of serving our Jackson Parish Community.
We have considered it a privilege to be a part of your lives, celebrating milestones, and sharing in the joy of good food and great company. Our community has been so much more to us than just “customers”, you are our friends and family and we have always looked forward to seeing you on a regular basis. We are immensely grateful for the support you have shown us all these years as Traina’s morphed form a grocery store and bakery into the restaurant we know today. As we close our final weeks, we kindly ask for your continued support. Your kind words and shared memories have fueled our passion for serving the community and we ask that you join us in making these final weeks a celebration of the years we’ve shared.
This decision was not made lightly and it comes with a mix of emotions. Traina’s has been around our entire lives and Toni, especially, basically grew up in these four wall working hand in hand with her parents. Running Traina’s is not a “job”, it is a family legacy that we have been proud to carry on. We have taken many steps through this place, some at a sprint, and we are now looking forward to being able to hang our aprons and start the next chapter of our lives enjoying our grandchildren, resting, and taking in all of the wonderful blessing God has graced us with. There would be no greater joy for us than to see someone else open up their own chapter of their life right here.
We have had the most incredible staff over the years, many who are our closest friends today. We could NOT have made it all these years without the commitment to service that our employees have shown, many who work incredibly difficult hours or get called in last minute and always arrive with a smile whenever we’ve needed them. Above all, we appreciate all of the hard work, dedication, and creativity that they have put into making Traina’s what it has been for Jackson Parish. We love you all like family and we have truly appreciated each and every one of you.
Whether you’ve been a loyal customer for years or just discovered us recently, your patronage has been the heartbeat of Traina’s Bakery and we thank you for being a part of our story.
With heartfelt gratitude and love,
Toni and Bruce Thomas