Families return to beloved Philly bakeries and markets for Easter traditions

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — For many families, the Easter table isn’t complete without something special from a Philadelphia market.

For some, that includes something sweet from Termini Bros. There was a steady crowd at the bakery on 8th Street all day on Friday.

Many customers said they have been visiting the South Philadelphia institution for as long as they can remember.

“It’s been years,” said Jason Regan of Huntington Valley, who came with his two young sons. “We do shopping at the Italian market for Easter brunch and then we stop over here.”

Generations have made the bakery part of their holiday routine, returning not only for the pastries but for the people behind them.

“It’s home,” said Brian McBride of Linwood, who brought his daughter, Alice, to see the inside of the bakery for the first time. “It’s very nice to be able to come in here and have the exact same pastries, the exact same recipes, and the exact same freshness.”

And in Port Richmond, waiting in line for Polish delicacies at Czerws is as much of an Easter tradition as dyeing eggs.

“I get kielbasi freshly smoked, pierogi, kishka and sauerkraut, and if anything else catches my eye, I get it like babka or something,” said David Zagorski of Port Richmond. “The whole Czerw family, they live right down the street from my grandfather’s tire shop and gas station, so we’ve known each other forever.

Employees say the loyalty spans decades.

“Oh my God, it’s like family. We’re so lucky because we have generations of customers,” said Czerw’s employee Nicole Crouse. “We have people that come in that are third generation: I was a little kid waiting in line with my grandparents, now I’m 65 years old. We’re so lucky to have such a loyal customer base.”

But not everyone is turning to specialty shops this year. With rising prices affecting many households, some families are opting for more budget-friendly options at grocery stores. At the ACME on City Avenue, shoppers said they were searching for good deals.

“It’s all I could afford, because everything’s just high,” said Dale Williams of West Philadelphia. “I’m a budget person. I budget everything down to water.”

Others said digital coupons and discounts are helping them stretch their dollars.

“Not too bad. I have the discount coupon on my phone, so that’s even better to help with the prices,” said Troy Baylor of Strawberry Mansion. “I’d rather buy food than the gas.”