Julie's legacy

CEBU, Philippines - Breads are made to nourish. There’s a homegrown bakeshop chain that has perhaps fed thousands in the last 28 years. Julie’s Bakeshop has indeed endured the rough times and has remained active in the baking industry.

Thanks to the efforts of its founder Julia “Julie” R. Gandionco, with the support of husband Rodrigo “Deigs.” Julie, despite her lack of knowledge in baking, remained persistent. “I did not know anything about baking but I was determined to learn. I told myself, ‘why not? I can always learn’.”

Julie’s Bakeshop’s humble beginnings were at its first store in Wireless, Mandaue City, which opened on January 6, 1981. “I chose Wireless because I thought it was the right place. I was a concessionaire in three canteens in Mandaue, hence it was easy to deliver the breads from the bakeshop to the canteens,” Tita Julie revealed.

According to the founder, she never imagined that Filipinos really love to eat bread until her first bakeshop was launched. “When the first bakeshop was opened, I prayed hard to God to make the bakeshop a success because I cannot afford to lose all the money I have which I invested on it. I prayed for one bakeshop, I asked for only one but six months after, I found myself opening a new branch, then another one after six months!” Julie’s has slowly evolved, adjusted to the call of the times and at present, Julie’s Bakeshop has more than 500 family-owned and franchise stores/branches nationwide.

On their 28th year, it was only fitting to unveil the first Julie’s Bakeshop marker in Wireless. A plaque now stands at the foyer of the bakeshop to commemorate its humble beginning as a quaint neighborhood bakehouse selling freshly baked breads.

“Maybe God has plans not only for me but for all of us connected with Julie’s. He has plans for us to be the one to help Him propagate His name through our bakeshop. This is a calling to continue…to be ready to help and to be His disciples. We will help Him feed his lambs. He came from a humble beginning. We have so much to thank God for what we are now,” Tita Julie concluded.

With age comes the expertise, and for Julie’s, they continue what they have mastered through the years – quality freshly baked breads, cleanliness and good service.