Rito's Italian Bakery & Imported Foods was founded by Santo Rito, with the help and support of his sister Maria Belfiore, and his wife Maria Rito. Santo came to America from the small town of Riposto, in Catania, Sicily in 1955. He developed his trade as an apprentice in the most distinguished pasticcerias of Taormina, which is a famous tourist location in Sicily.
Santo introduced the concepts of good Sicilian baking to the west side of Cleveland in the form of Rito's Italian Bakery in 1965.
Since then business has expanded and Rito's Bakery moved to the suburbs of Cleveland in Parma and Brunswick. Both stores are landmarks of one of the most prestigious bakeries in Ohio.
Santo currently owns and operates the store with the help of his sister, wife children Jim, Anna, Anthony and Lidia as well as his grandchildren Dominic and Angela. There are many factors that have contributed to Rito's success, but most of all the hard work and dedication of the entire family has ensured the bakery's future and kept the tradition alive. Rito's is famous for their cookie trays, Italian bread, wedding cakes, cannoli and cassata.
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