After serving the community for over six decades, Regina Bakery, a local favorite on the west side of Cincinnati, is shutting its doors for the last time this September. Current owners, Tom and Robin Davis, have decided to retire, ending a long, sweet chapter that began in 1980 when they took over the business. The couple expressed their emotions over closing in a post on the bakery's Facebook page, stating, "Baking has been more than just a business for us; it has been our life's passion," WLWT reported. Attempts to sell the bakery and keep it operating as usual did not come to fruition.
Regina Bakery's history is deeply entwined with the Davis family. Tom Davis began his journey in the baking world while still in high school before deciding to pursue it as a career during his college years. He went on to partner with and eventually succeed Anton Anneken, Regina's former owner. The closure of their Cheviot and Miami Heights locations signifies the conclusion of a business that has been a cornerstone for the west side residents. According to a report by LOCAL12, the Davises are ending their tenure with a sense of "immense gratitude."
While the Davises prepare for their retirement, the bakery's legacy will have somewhat of a continuation. Java Jackets, a North Bend coffee house and bakery, plans to acquire both of Regina’s locations, and they intend to keep some of Regina's beloved items on their menu. This revelation was shared on the same Facebook post that announced the closure, adding a silver lining for those who have grown to love the bakery's offerings.
Details about the transition have been modest, but the owners of Java Jackets seem poised to embrace the much-prized Regina favorites in their own operations. This handoff suggests that, while Regina Bakery as a brand is concluding its operations, its flavors will live on through a new custodian. "We've explored every possibility to continue, trying to sell the bakery to operate in the same manner as it does today," the Davises shared in their announcement on Facebook. "However, the time has come for us to embark on a well-deserved retirement," the couple told The Cincinnati Enquirer. While many patrons will certainly miss the familiar presence of Regina Bakery, they can take some comfort in knowing its essence may continue through relocated recipes.
